Gaffer

I had a look at the teams we play if we get through the first two rounds. There's no doubt that it's stacked against us, but in terms of excitement there are some cracking draws in there. I'd love to see us against Espanyol or similar. What a night that would be at Ibrox.

So if he gets a place in the 24 man squad that Gerrard is talking about, that means yet another from my earlier list will be moved on. We are now at the stage where we are moving out good players for better ones, whereas in previous seasons we were trying (and failing) to move out the dross for something a bit less dross. There's going to be huge disappointment for a few of our players. I know Dorrans was gutted when he was told, but he won't be the last in this window.

When you see the current dilemma, I can't imagine McPake will get a chance this season.

In a recent interview with the manager he said he wants 23/24 players competing. He indicated also that there may be one or two more incoming before the end of the window, and that others will be moved out. Given that we have a squad with over 30 players this won't come as a surprise, but what might surprise some is the scale of the decisions he is going to have to make to reduce it to his target number. Even if we take out the expected leavers (either on loan or permanent) such as Lafferty, Grezda, Middleton, Dorrans, etc, we still have 27 players currently. If we do sign another two it means that at least 5 from the following list will be moved out if possible. GK (4): McGregor, Firth, Fods, Alnwick Defenders (9): Tav, Edmundson, Helander, Goldson, Flanagan, Katic, Polster, Halliday and Barisic Midfielders (12): Jack, Davis, Ojo, Aribo, Kamara, Candeias, Jones, Docherty, Stewart, Murphy, Hastie, Arfield Strikers (2): Defoe, Morelos So let's assume we do complete on our final two targets and have to move 5 out, who would they be? I've suggested mine in bold (italics means on loan). The management team has some tough decisions ahead.

Isn't it funny how their attack has increased without signing a player there (AFAIK) and yet the defence stays the same despite spending nine million on a marquee central defender. It's all a bit of fun I suppose, but someone at that company gets paid to produce this crap.

It would appear that although Gerrard is interested in trying other formations (including a back 3), his preferred setup is 4-3-2-1. We are all broadly in agreement about the defence and striker, but the midfield is so tough to call. We will face three types of teams: 1) Those that sit in and invite us to attack them (most of the SPFL and early Europa league stages) 2) Those that will attack us but where we expect to be attacking more than defending (Celtic at Ibrox and probably away too) 3) Those that will attack us and where we are likely to spend more time defending (later stages of the Europa league) This is where I think our recruitment really makes sense because we now have the right players for each of these occasions. For type (1), Jack is ideal because as well as being able to attack, he is one of our best tacticians and is reliable at filling in for Tav or Barisic when they push forward. It means we can commit players forward with confidence that we won't leak at the back. Equally, the likes of Aribo and Ojo will create the opportunities. So for me it would be Jack, Kamara and Aribo as the three behind Ojo and Jones. For type (2), we will use Kamara, Aribo and Davis in the three, given their ability to play more direct balls to exploit the spaces, and then Ojo and Arfield and Morelos will benefit. Jones and Candeias will then be used later in the game when their pace will be more effective. For type (3), I'd expect Jack, Davis and Kamara to be in the 3 with Aribo and Arfield in the advanced roles, mainly because I'd expect them to sit deeper than usual. We've not had these options before and it'll be interesting to see how we use our players depending on the opposition we are up against. I'm also interested to see under what circumstances Gerrard tries the back 3. Although we didn't get the result in that setup last season, if you remember we actually played really well so I think it will be used more often this season.

In particular the thousands of Celtic fans who watch RTV on their illegal streams just so they can comment on us. I have a feeling they're going to get a proper lesson this season.

I just listened to the pod during my lunch today and enjoyed it as usual. I think @plgsarmy and I will fall out though over our opinion of Kent. ? I did think that Christine and Graham would have been more upbeat after the performances we've had so far, but at least Ross represented the way I (and many others) were feeling, especially after that Marseille game yesterday. I was completely carried away though. As I've said before, even when I disagree I always enjoy the pod. Keep them coming. Well done @plgsarmy, @Big Jaws, and of course Ross (can't remember your online name mate).

Tom was great at commentating as usual, but I thought Ian Durrant was excellent. His insight was really interesting and I hope he does more of it for RTV.

Liar!!!! You're getting carried away! We all are after that!!!! ?

Anyone watching that must be either excited (if you're a bear), or s@@@ing themself (if they're not). It's difficult not to get carried away. I know it's a friendly but that's superb football at any stage of the season.

After this game today, it is clear that our starting 11 is impossible to pick right now. The strength in the squad is brilliant.

Wow, that was a great half of football. Is it just me or are we looking bloody impressive?!?! This team is excitingly to watch and the new boys look like brilliant additions already.

This is terrific news. I still can't believe we have signed this guy for such a small (relative to his perceived value) fee. We have strengthened all over now and we are surely in good shape to cope with inevitable injuries and suspensions. I now just hope we can hold on to our best players because replacing them will be difficult and a risk. One more attacking player and we will be ready for the title.

I don't agree that the Progres result was anywhere near our worst, and nor did I think it was embarrassing. Disappointing, but not embarrassing. We just didn't really appreciate how poor our team was, and were ignorant to how some of these teams have improved. Progres is definitely a chapter we'd all like to forget, but it's a vastly improved team since we played them last and we will have to play well to beat them. I won't be thinking about revenge. I'll be thinking that it's another step towards us regaining our credibility in European football, and another game to enjoy.

They never bother about getting the facts right, so it's little wonder the spelling and grammar is so poor. I don't take anything from these articles and prefer to see a player for myself, but in his case I have seen the player and I know we have a bargain. The last time I saw him was probably October last year and he really stood out for me. He's obviously a big powerful guy, but I liked the way he was so agressive in winning the ball. He covered the pitch well and to me looked very quick. His distribution was good too, although he tried a few longer passes and they went astray. The main thing about him was that he looked as if he'd win every header and tackle, even when he was not the favourite for the challenge. That's why he stood out despite the other obvious talent on the pitch. The team was not playing well and he looked at times like he was a one man defence. I'm delighted if he joins us.

They obviously trust Ian McCall that he will develop them properly. If it works for both teams it might become a popular route.

Only just made the time to listen to this and I really enjoyed it. I obviously remember the day he signed but it was really good to hear about (and be reminded f) some of the other aspects of the story. My lasting memory is seeing him with McNeil having 'signed' for them and thinking we were in for a tough time, because he was one of the best strikers in Europe at the time. And then that day when he was unveiled for us I just remember I couldn't wait to get to my pals. Most were bears, but that day I couldn't wait to get to the Celtic fans. It was possibly the best GIRUY we could have done, and won us the league. At the time I don't remember it being about him being a RC. I just remember it as us stealing their best player and someone they regarded as being green and white in his core. It was a great day and a reminder to everyone that we are the number one club. Well done to the guys who put this together. Superb pod!!!!

Don't forget one of our nine in a row legends and captain Richard Gough. He was superb and in many ways this boy is like him. He's big and strong, excellent in the air and athletic.

That suggests there's been an issue with him and the management because it can't be about his abilities. Oh well, their loss is our gain if it happens. This is a coup if we get this one across the line. After watching Ojo yesterday I've been buzzing, and the good news keeps coming.

I'll be stunned if that's the case. 5 million is well below how highly I'd value him so if it turns out to be true, this is a steal. If we do sign him and it's for anywhere close to that value, I'll be convinced that Allen has acquired some blackmail material.

I'd love this to be true because I've seen him play a few times and he's a top quality defender. He's excellent on the ground and in the air, and must only be in his mid twenties. However, having seen how talented he is, I can't believe we'd be in a position to afford him. I hope I'm wrong but I just don't see him being in our price range. Bologna do need to raise funds for a midfielder so perhaps this is an opportunist move by Mark Allen.

Is it too early to place some money on Ojo being the player of the season? If he keeps this up, I can't see anyone getting close to him. Aribo looks solid too. I'm excited.

?

It's not quite the same in my opinion. We are actually making half chances and the ball is moving forward faster, mainly thanks to Davis and Kamara being able to hit Ojo, who looks like he's going to be a super signing for us.