BlackSocksRedTops

Rangers 2 Celtic 1

FGS Tav

2 hours ago, buster. said:

Hats off to the team for getting over the Paisley defeat and putting together 3 more league wins on the bounce.

 

If we were only at K2 Base Camp 2/3 weeks ago, now after the December fixtures negotiated successfully, we've reached Camp 1 (of 4) on the way up to the summit. It's possible to get to Camp 2 in just 90 minutes but it is the most difficult part of the climb and the weather is unpredictable.

 

As others have suggested, we are going to have to up performance levels on Saturday from what we've been producing in recent weeks, in what has in the main been a league performance blip (rather than results). When it comes to defending, we are missing Ryan Jack but haven't really been punished as yet. I think we have to go for the throat, look to take the initiative early, rather than the now customary slow start that builds into a head of steam 15-20 minutes in. If we allow them to take the initiative, they have the players to take advantage and I think we would struggle to turn it round. 

 

SG&Co have had their fingers burnt in this fixture when taking a conservative approach. He'll know what we have to do and it'll be down to the players to go to the well once again and put in one of those performance levels you reach, only a few times a season.

 

Difficult to overstate the importance of this game.

 

 

I'm less concerned about the Celtic game than what the rest of January offers (Aberdeen, Motherwell and Hibs away). The Celtic game will look afer itself but that's a tough month on the road. If we get full points from those 3 away fixtures I will be over the moon

49 minutes ago, Bill said:

Today's game did nothing to dispel the growing feeling that we've been losing momentum for a few weeks. I just hope we get through the Celtic game unscathed but more than anything else I hope we don't see a repeat of our recent January blues. If Gerrard is keeping an inspirational team talk up his sleeve I suggest he deploys it now.

January will be tough. We have Aberdeen and Hibs away as well as Celtic at home.

Hate to sound negative but I'd take a draw with the Tims in a heartbeat. At least that retains our 7pt advantage 

5 minutes ago, the gunslinger said:

really enjoyed that game thought we played well. St Mirren look to be the best team we have played domestically and do the league proud. 

 

 

Not really sure if I agree with any of that Gunslinger 

18 minutes ago, ian1964 said:

I'd prefer Duffer to play!

I'd prefer the two of them in the middle with Ayer at RB

4 minutes ago, PoohBear said:

I think the thing concerning me most was that we seemed unable to play out of a high press that their front line applied. 

Agreed. We were doing this with ease in Europe but have looked jittery at the back of late. Even McGregor looks less assured 

7 minutes ago, PoohBear said:

Yep, I worry it's tiredness but hope they prove us wrong.

The opposition seemed to have twigged about the influence of Goldson to IMO

Amazing to get another 3 points and a clean sheet but that's 4/5 games now that we haven't looked even close to our best. Winning through a patch of indifferent performances is a fantastic sign of progress but is anyone else slightly concerned at how are full backs are being nullified? Tav and Borna are just not having the same influence on games as they were earlier in the campaign. Thoughts?

11 minutes ago, ian1964 said:

 

Would prefer him to play tbh

3 minutes ago, buster. said:

Alfredo merits his start and I think is ready and certainly well over due, to step up a gear or three.

Good move to offload Kent.

 

Bench has a goalkeeper, 3 defenders, only 1 midfielder and 4 forwards.

Bit light in the middle, thought Dickson might be on bench.

Has Balogun ever played defensive midfield ?

 

I reckon they'll have an early go at us, trying to get a goal before we settle and start to impose our game on them.

Best counter would be to start quickly out of the traps and get the early goal ourselves. 

 

Concentrate lads and remember, don't stick on one goal. Don't slowdown until we get two in front.

Nerves kicking in and I'm just watching !

 

 

 

 

I would suggest even slowing down at 2 is folly. If we are 2 up, keep going as 1 goal can change everything 

1 minute ago, der Berliner said:

A couple of names added to the rumours, though both are more  whispers, I would assume.

 

IN - Alfie Doughty (21) - England, LB/LM, Charlton Atheltic - contract till summer 2021 - LINK

IN - Thomas Robert (20) - France, RW, Airdrieonians - contract till summer 21 - LINK

Could Thomas Robert be our next Kamaraesque signing...?

I really hope Alfie gets among any goals that may come our way today. A confident and scoring Morelos could be vital in the 2nd part of the season

Kent dropping to the bench...interesting...

12 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

Morelos looked terrific when he came on against Hibs, albeit he should've scored.

 

He didn't play the only match we've lost this season, at this same venue.

 

Definite starter, for me.

Apologies. I was thinking about the Tims game? Too many drinks and late nights for this Gersnetter...

27 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

Remember in decades past, where games like this didn't seem to matter much in the grand scheme of things?  Now, every game is huge, mainly due to the gap between the two big clubs and the rest.

 

I would play Morelos, Roofe and Hagi in a front three, with Davis, Kamara and Aribo in midfield.  I doubt Gerrard will drop Kent though.

 

Mon The Rangers!  ??

Morelos simply cannot be counted on at the moment for a game of this size. That includes goalscoring and discipline 

Same team for me. Hagi and Aribo are improving with every game and we need them firing on all cylinders for these type of games. 

My one slight reservation would be Kent. For me he has to simplify his play and be more effective with his final ball. Hopefully a good showing today to get him in tune for the Tims. He seems to do well against them...

2 hours ago, Crimson Dynamo said:

Great Post!

 

When I was a boy and just discovering football.  Dundee United under McLean were at the height of their powers. They were a really good team.

 

I still remember the night they beat Barcelona and the back to back cup finals when they lost to St. Mirren and Celtic. 

 

Back then they were genuinely a team I liked watching.  Such a shame what Scottish football has become.

I believe Dundee Utd have played Barcelona 4 times over 2 ties (60's and 90's) and won all four games. That must be some kind of record?

Fantastic obit John.

Would loved to have seen that United side go up against Liverpool in the European Cup final in Rome in 1984. It's such a pity they were on the receiving end of scandalous ref decisions and match fixing (the Roma chief basically admitted it in 2018)

3-1

FGS Roofe

53 minutes ago, gisabeer said:

Poor performance  and poor tactics.   Severe lack of urgency in our gameplay.   Sick and tired of davis and his side and back passes.    Play like this against the scum and we will lose.

Perspective please. The priority was a win and 3 pts. The clean sheet was a bonus. Did we play our best game of the season? Far from it but these are the games that will win titles. We simply cannot reach the heights for every game. 

13 minutes ago, buster. said:

I'm usually as cautious as they come about predicting the winning of football matches but I kind of share your optimism regards a relative wallop.

 

I'd obviously take any kind of win but I think title winning sides tend to send out markers at certain stages of the season, with the festive season being one of the most traditional and important.

 

What we can't do is drop points and allow doubt and talk of momentum shifts to dominate next week.

 

 

The last time Celtic were going for 10IAR, I was with my Dad on a train that we boarded at Leuchars, going to Edinburgh and with a tiny transistor radio held close to the window for a signal, we listened to David Francey commentating on the New Year OF fixture at Ibrox. That day was a marker, 3-0 win. I didn't realise the relevance at the time but I hoped we scored as we passed Markinch.

David Francey...I have fond memories of hearing his dulcut tones. These were usually via the TV/Radio from some exotic location when Rangers/Scotland were playing (pre Sky for the younger members)

Started the day with Bellini's, followed by a few cans of Guinness. Moved onto a Australian cabernet sauvignon (19 Crimes) for the Christmas feast and finished the day with a some ice cold Heinekins. Surprisingly for me I have a clear heed this morn. Roll on round 2...

As much as Hibs offer a more offensive challenge, I can only see this a positive for us. The last group of games have seen us face teams that have set up very defensively, with little space to get in behind.

Let's not lose sight of where we are and how we got there. We are the top of the league for a reason and IMO, all the tactical questions are firmly on Hibs. Do they come at us and open themselves up to Tav/Borna/Aribo/Kent/Kamara/Airfield/Hagi/Roofe exploiting space they have not had in a while? Or do they sit tight and stuff the midfield and hope for something on the break?

Personally I think we will wallop them today. 

For some reason I feel like we are going to batter them. 

4-0

FGS Roofe

9 minutes ago, buster. said:

Learning from experience.

You need Plans A, B and C......as well as just changing personel.

 

If we get a repeat of the Livingston 0-0 scenario, we'll end going the more direct route earlier.

 

 

Agree. Just glad Aribo is looking back to his sharpness. He is our game changer IMO