Rousseau

Zelalem was certainly not missed, but in defense of his contribution/role, Halliday played that role against Dundee. Halliday played a little deeper -- like Zelalem -- acting as a support to the main attack rather than being the main attack. One thing though, Halliday is a lot more willing and brave enough to attempt risky through-balls. He's grown into that role quite well after a few unsure performances; but it's clear he can play there. It brings a good balance to the midfield with a DM (Ball), a Metronome/deep-playmaker (Halliday), and a No.10 (Holt). I always though we lacked control when Zelalem doesn't play because we are forced into fielding more attacking midfielders, but if Halliday has a decent DM at the back of him -- like Ball, but maybe someone else if he's not going to remain with us next year -- then he's a better fit because he's more offensively minded, and more willing to take a pot at goal. I'll concede that Zelalem is not needed, but I maintain that his 'role' is needed -- luckily Andy Halliday can play it!

I agree with that. Tactically, it played into our hands, but we still had to go out and do it; which we did superbly. I thought Miller was fantastic yesterday. He never played up-top, but was playing in behind, creating space and movement, buzzing all over the place; but it goes to show we don't actually need a 'target-man' if the movement and runners are good from the attacking players -- I think Holt and Miller buzzing about out-witted the Dundee defence, as they didn't know who to mark or close down.

I think Villa and Norwich are a shoe-in, but I think Sunderland have enough -- the Allardyce effect. Newcastle just seem a little toothless, for the battle they are in.

I think you're spot on. The formation (and the way we move the ball) stays the same, but the personnel and tactics change giving us a different approach game-to-game.

Forrester was pretty poor in his first few games, but a few suggested at the time that he didn't look match fit -- I may have been one of those fans...

Maybe a bit quick to post, but I couldn't help myself! Brilliant performance, and a brilliant result. Warburton's-lack-of-plan-B criticism still seems to linger, but it does him a disservice because today we saw interesting tactical changes, with Miller's false-9 role and the central overload. The link-up play was just terrific at times.

IBROX -- Premiership side Dundee were Rangers' opponents in the Scottish Cup sixth-round tie, as both sides went into the game in confident mood. Rangers had opened up a 14-point gap at the top of the Championship, and Dundee had held Celtic to a 0-0 mid-week draw, despite fielding a weakened team. Dundee promised to be a step-up in class for Rangers, but a tactically naive performance ceded space for Rangers in all the right areas; the only thing left was for Rangers to take advantage of it. Dundee lined-up in a 4-2-3-1, with former Ranger Kane Hemmings leading the line. The potent attacking-three of Loy, Stewart and Harkins played in behind, with McGowan and Ross providing a solid midfield base. McGinn, O'Dea, Konrad and Holt made up the back-four, with Bain playing in goal. Ostensibly, Rangers played their usual 4-3-3, but with certain player-roles creating a 4-2-1-3. A back-four of Tavernier, Wilson, Kiernan and Wallace played in front of 'keeper Foderingham. Ball came into the Defensive-Midfield role with Halliday playing alongside; Holt made up the midfield three. McKay, Miller and Forrester led the line. Rangers started aggressively, with a four-man press yielding early rewards. Wide-men Forrester and McKay pressed high, with Holt joining Miller in a central area to force Dundee into a mistake. Sloppy control from the full-back allowed Forrester to steal the ball within 10 seconds, before taking on his defender and unleashing a powerful near-post strike past the helpless 'keeper. What was clear from the off, was that Dundee were more interested in attacking than defending. Loy, Hemmings, Stewart and the central Harkins were fairly aggressive, creating a 4-2-1-3 in attack. Loy was always worried about Tavernier and was forced to sit a little deeper, but Stewart on the right-wing played very high and narrow, looking to link-up with Hemmings. This positive approach from Dundee could have caused problems, but Halliday and Ball created a solid defensive-midfield block, cutting out forward passes; Wilson and Kiernan were quick to sweep-up if any balls did get through. The proactive defensive tactic was very successful, resulting in the ball being won back early. Dundee couldn't get the ball for the first 30 minutes. The aggressive front-three were never quick enough to track back. Both Forrester and McKay held wide positions, stretching the back-four. This created space in the channels for both Tavernier and Wallace; which both exploited with clever, penetrative under-laps. Rangers dominated possession by overloading the midfield. With the Dundee front-three (and Harkins) slow to track back, the defensive duty fell to the two Defensive-Midfielders. However, they were never sure who they were marking. Halliday and Ball played deeper, making the Dundee midfielders come to them. When they didn't, Halliday and Ball had free reign to pass forward, with Halliday in particular playing several perfectly-weighted through balls for McKay. When the Dundee midfield did press, they left space for Miller and Holt. Miller and Holt were always elusive, drifting into any free space. Miller looked to be playing a false-9 role, as he never played up-top as a focal point, but instead drifted about in the hole and both channels. With both playing in the half-spaces, Rangers were able to move the ball smoothly through the midfield. Rangers easily had a 4v2/3 overload in central areas (with Halliday, Ball, Holt and Miller created a makeshift square), but through clever movement were also able to overload both flanks -- wherever the ball was. Especially on the left flank, Miller and Holt drifted wide to team up with Wallace and McKay; Halliday supported, creating a 5v3 at times, which allowed easy possession and plenty of opportunities to penetrate the Dundee back-four. Stewart's clever positioning as an inside-forward caused a few problems. Wallace was alert to Stewart's threat, and covered pre-emptively, almost becoming a Left-Central-Midfielder at times. As much as Stewart's shooting ability was a threat, it was covered easily enough. The real danger was the space left on the left-flank for the right-back Konrad to exploit. A few times Konrad had a free run, delivering a few decent crosses. Dundee eventually managed to play around the Rangers press, which allowed them to come into the game towards the end of the first-half. The wide-men (Forrester and McKay) dropped deeper, which meant Miller and Holt's press was easy to play around -- all four, with Halliday and Ball in behind, needed to press together to make it successful as it was at the start of the game. It was at this stage that Dundee managed to get a foothold in the game, but good defending from Kiernan and Wilson meant they were never able to take advantage. Rangers were imperious during the first 20 minutes of the second-half, adding another 2 goals. Nothing really changed tactically, but the Rangers players were more confident that the space was there. The link-up and interchange between Miller, Holt and McKay was sublime at times. One small change was that both wingers swapped sides, so they become inverted wingers. Instead of taking their full-backs on the outside, both looked to cut inside. This helped McKay in particular as he was constantly thwarted on the outside during the first-half, but was a real threat in the second-half when he could be a little more unpredictable. Forrester was perhaps less effective as an inverted winger on his own, but his positioning allowed space for Wallace on the outside which worked for the team as a whole; their link-up was almost telepathic, with back-heels and flicked through-balls generally finding each other. Three changes were made in quick succession by Warburton, with Shiels, Law and Clark coming on for McKay, Forrester and Holt. The game was won, but the Rangers performance suffered from the changes through a lack of width. The game reverted to a end-to-end game, with player taking on player. The earlier success had come through clever inter-play, rather than one-on-one's. (Despite this, Wallace scored a nice fourth goal by taking on his man.) A good defensive display at this state -- Kiernan in particular made a few blocks -- allowed Rangers to see the game out 4-0. Dundee were supposed to be a real step up in class, but a tactically naive approach ceded the centre of the pitch. Despite having a tactical advantage, Rangers still had to go out and do the job, which they did in sublime form. A tactical overload in central areas, allowed Rangers to dominate possession, and the movement and interplay from the forwards left Dundee chasing shadows. A strong performance from every player on the pitch has done much to erase those lingering doubts as to Rangers' ability to perform against top-flight opposition. If we play like this, there's really not much to fear.

I think both the optimists and pessimists within our support were both surprised/impressed by that performance...

Absolutely superb. I had my doubts about this game: Dundee was a step up on Killie and Hibs, but I needn't have worried! I reckon that's what happens when teams cede the flanks; Dundee were more concerned about attacking than covering.

It's not the BBC per se, it's BBC Scotland. I like the BBC for the variety of programming -- which you get in few other places -- without any ads. I tend to ignore BBC Scotland content; it's just too parochial for me. One can complain, but I suspect we are in the minority here. It's like everything else: if you don't like it, don't consume it.

To be brutally honest, I think top 3-4 would be good next year (based on this seasons premiership form). Celtic may be average relatively speaking, but I still think they have the luck and know-how to win these leagues, and certainly have good enough assets able to get them over the line. We are untested. To be in the mix with Hearts and Aberdeen in itself would be a big step forward IMO.

It sounds like the Steak & Black Pudding pies were the MOTM.

Oh dear. Cringe-worthy.

I don't get it? What's it about?

I didn't know GZ was injured, but must be true because he's not in the squad again. Could mean he's out of favour, but I still think he'd be on the bench as an option anyway. Interesting front-three: King and O'Halloran are probably the most direct wingers we have, and Clark is the only real out-and-out striker. I think Forrester is quite a good option in central midfield; he's got good ball-control and is quite direct. Holt is always a threat. Decent side, considering there are a few changes.

RANGERS: Foderingham, Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace, Halliday, Holt, Forrester, O’Halloran, Clark, King Subs: Bell, Ball, Miller, McKay, Law, Shiels, Burt http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/three-changes-raith/

Aye, at least two stone-wallers denied and several rugby-tackles from St Mirren players going unpunished. Crazy. I don't know how these guys are allowed to referee professionally.

Shhhhh.... It's not over 'till it's over.

We kept plugging away but the finishing is really poor at times. O'Halloran can beat 2-3 players with ease, then sky it. Forrester is the one play that hit the target. We make it hard.

Slow start -- deliberate ploy by St Mirren -- but we've grown into it, creating several good chances; a real lack of quality on the final ball though -- how does Miller miss from 2 yards!? O'Halloran is starting to show what he can do: great pace and trickery to beat players with ease, but again, his final ball has been wayward. We'll need to show patience today.

That could certainly be true, but I think he's just rotating the squad a little. Law hasn't really got into the team either recently. I doubt it means either are out of favour per se. Moreover, I think he's trying to juggle the front line a little also. With King and O'Halloran coming in he's trying to find a place for them (even Forrester), with McKay dropping into central midfield to accommodate them etc. I honestly think McKay is best wide-left, with O'Halloran, Forrester and Miller taking the other positions in the front line (with Waghorn missing). I don't see a starting place for King with McKay wide-left, whereas the others can fill-in. The central midfield roles should go to any of Shiels, Law, Halliday, Holt, Ball and Zelalem. Everyone will have their preference -- mine would be Halliday, Holt and Zelalem: a good, well-balanced mix.

Is there subtitles?

That was a much better, and more interesting, interview -- good questions leading into new questions on interesting areas, not variations on the same bloody question!

I completely agree with this. It's quite staggering that the two players who have made a real impact at first-team level never player at the U-20 level (namely, Wilson and McKay), so it can only be good to get the others out and playing at a 'decent' level -- at least playing professionally against hardened men. It can only be good that our U-17's will be playing against youngsters 3 years older also. It's about time someone made a change at youth level, because we've not really produced much for far too long. It really is so important to have a continuous stream of young players coming through.

Good point. I was thinking about it with regards to protecting our assets: that breaks down when you don't want the asset! In that sense, and Warburton's point, shorter contracts are better. Just make sure the buy-out clause is decent and there are rewards/incentives for performance and options for the club to renew.