Gaffer

31 for me. I think if we get 29 or more points it will be enough to keep us top though.

I like Katic too but it's such an important position that we can't afford to play anyone other than our strongest options there. Katic obviously isn't it yet so I'd rather play someone else who is, and use Katic in games like Cowdenbeath to develop his attributes and confidence.

This is very much Rangers related Rousseau because this was one of the first departments Gerrard sorted out when he arrived. Gerrard knows how an appreciation of numbers changed (for the better) his own game, so he wants other players to appreciate their own game and develop accordingly. It is of course also used to scout new players. This part is nothing new, but what really interests me is how we are assessing a player's mentality before he is signed. The stats are one thing, and provide an excellent insight, but how do we assess whether a player is a capable of surviving and thriving in a cauldron such as Ibrox? It's something I've looked at as a pet project because to some extent stats have been reviewed in isolation. However, when stats are overlaid with the game/league circumstances at the time, it can be very revealing. For some players (Halliday and Jack being an example), the movement, touches, awareness and tracking appears not to dip even when the team is losing or under pressure. This contrasts with a player such as Ejaria, who, when under pressure situations tended to change his game style (which I doubt was tactical). I realise DMAA was joking when he mentioned Football Manager, but their database is now used by many top clubs around the world. They have more scouts than any football club has afterall. If we can scout a player's mental attributes we will save ourselves a fortune. Fingers crossed.

I don't recall anyone suggesting he was anywhere near the finished article, but he is someone that Middleton needs to look at. Gerrard is playing Kent ahead of Middleton for a reason and I'm sure he knows why. It's a game of opinions and facts of course, but Kent has all the skill, he just needs to make better decisions more often. As we discussed on another thread, crossing is quite important but it's much more threatening to get into an inside forward position and cut the ball back. Kent does it but he should do it more often. If we do sign Kent, Murphy and Middleton will have to shoot it out for a spot.

We all see the game differently. I don't base my opinion on one incident or one game, but rather over the first half of the season. All I know is that each time he has the ball I get the sense that he might create something. Only Morelos can do that too. It is an entertainment business afterall, and these are the two players that I'm excited to watch. My point is more that I'm very happy with the transfer business, but Kent (for me) would be the icing on the cake.

If we can do a deal for Kent, I'd be over the moon with the outcome of this transfer window. I was hoping for a number 10, but if the boss thinks Davis can compete with Arfield for that spot, I trust him. For me, Kent is the future star of our team and we must get him sorted out now before his value rises. I know he can be frustrating sometimes, but every time he's on the ball I feel he can do something. He's the standard that guys like Middleton need to reach if they're going to make it.

Anyone else see the Defoe tweet? He's here to win. "Let's bring that trophy home, boss" https://twitter.com/iamjermaindefoe/status/1081968845970173952

It will be interesting to see how we shape up this year but the signings we've made certainly give us more options. Defoe is a player I'm sure we are all delighted has joined us. I'd expect he's on a hefty salary but if he can reproduce the form of the past few seasons, we've got a super player. He isn't so good at holding the ball up though so I'm assuming he will be played as part of a front two, or as an inside forward (as part of a front 3). Kamara is a player I am delighted about. He's always looked strong, skilful and composed and if he can handle the mental pressure of winning every week he will be an excellent signing. Jones still has a lot to prove but in my opinion he's already a step up from our existing wingers/forwards (except for Kent and Morelos). He gives us plenty of attacking options as he can play as a wide winger, he can cut inside, and he can play as an inside forward too. Davis was an excellent player. He was probably my favourite player of that time but I'm not sure if he still has that same level of energy required in the middle of the pitch, especially the way we play. I hope he can get some match practise so he can have a chance of making it into the starting eleven. My expectations aren't high, but like every one of us I'm hoping he still has it. If he has, he can play in any of the midfield roles because he's a terrific reader of the game, passer, and tackler. And we all know he can shoot too. I suspect our further signings will only happen if and when we offload some players. Herrera, Dodoo, Pena, Hodson, Wallace, Rossiter, Hardie, Alnwick, and Fod need to be moved on asap. If their loans don't result in a permanent move we'd be stuck with an expensive wage book for players that add nothing. I'd also personally try to get rid of Lafferty while he still has some value but I doubt that's going to happen before the summer.

There's no doubt that having a siege mentality can help to foster the resilience and battling qualities in a team. We showed that in the recent old firm game. However, Gerrard will not have had to try hard to create this because the media, SFA, and every other club in Scotland does it for us. WE are under siege. This big bad Rangers rhetoric is now firmly drilled into every sports writer, presenter and pundit. They all know that they must rinse and repeat these lines to get on in their roles. This is yet another scandalous attack on us, just after atom English's blatant attempt to corrupt the truth, rewrite history, and present us as the racists when his own club were the guilty party. And let's not forget the support they all give to LG, the convicted racist. Their corruption and bias is clear for all to see, and it's been painful to listen to for years. However, in the past 3 months the temperature has risen because we are doing well and now at least threatening their precious team's monopoly. They are hurting badly and I love it. When we win 55, it will be the best day of my Rangers supporting life, and it will be the worst for them. Bring it on.

Because he's better than two of them, and the other one (Kent) is just a loan. We absolutely want to develop our own players but we have to be ruthless to achieve our ambitions. It is a clear signal of intent from the board and the manager. I'm delighted we continue to build the quality in the team. If our existing players are not good enough, they'll be replaced with ones who are. The challenge is now there for Middleton and others to develop, or move on.

If that's true, I'll be having a major celebration. Even before the game on Saturday I thought this kid shows all the promise of a very special player. I'd love to spend a big chunk of cash on keeping him. He'll help take us to 55.

Excellent pod!!! I'm sure everyone enjoyed listening to this trio, in particular sensing their smiling faces as they spoke about the game on Saturday. Stevie's two moments (Tav roasting the midfield within the first few minutes, and then Arfield winning the drop ball) were key for me too, but I enjoyed listening to the three of them as they recounted their opinions of the game and the players. Once again the balance of subjects, opinions and insight was excellent, and I love when the podcasts are released. It's a great listen, so well done to all hosts, guests and to those that pull the whole thing together. Announcing Stevie G as our manager, thumping Celtic, and launching the Gersnet podcast ...... what a year 2018 has been. All the best to everyone associated with Gersnet. We have lots of heated disagreements but we are all bears and we all want the best for our team. Have a great Hogmanay, be safe, and let's look forward to an exciting 2019.

Get that next podcast sorted asap. Having just thoroughly enjoyed that 90 minutes, we now need another 90 minutes (but I'll settle for 60) of hearing about how good we were. I'm expecting plenty of smugness to shine through in the voices. And don't forget your lemons .... if your speech is impeded by the size of your smile, just suck on the lemon. WATP

That was as one sided a game as I've seen. Their players and fans must be shell shocked. We looked like champions today. GIRUY

I'm not convinced this is what happened. Gerrard clearly wasn't happy with Ejaria on a few occasions recently so I wonder if this is the manager coming up with a more publicly acceptable reason for him going. Afterall, Liverpool wouldn't want their player being chastised in public. This way it just looks like he couldn't settle and preserves his value. I don't buy that though. Usually if something doesn't make sense, it's not true. The boy had a one year loan deal. He could even have just stayed until the January window to avoid any issue, so to leave just before some major games and just two weeks before the end of the year is more than a little suspicious. This is where we needed Miller in the dressing room so that we could read the real story in the Record.

3-0 and Lafferty as fgs. In my opinion he's done nothing since coming back (or the first time he was here for that matter) so it's about time he did. My expectations are set quite low however, so I doubt I'll be disappointed.

Poor John ....did you not get any toys or games to keep you entertained? I think this highlights the cost of points at the top end of the table. I remember the Real Madrid president saying that he had a team capable of 80 points per season but he was buying Ronaldo for 90 million because he thought he was likely to add another 5 points per season. That works out at 18 million euros per point. We've got a first team capable of challenging, but we don't have a squad anywhere near strong enough. Celtic's additional points are the costliest but it shows how far we've still to go.

Excellent pod as usual. It just shows the strength in depth of the Gersnet podcast squad. Great way to take us into Christmas. Who is lined up for the pod next Sunday? Either way it's going to be some week ahead, and I just hope the team can give the podders and all of us something to shout about. It's about time, and I think we deserve a victory. In all the Christmas movies I've watched, good overcomes evil so I'm hoping that's a sign, and that the theme continues to get us six points in the next week. Have a great Christmas everyone, ? ? Away in a manger No crib for a bed The little lord Jesus stood up and he said .... Al-fredo Morelos, Al-fredo Morelos

That was a strange game. It felt like we had 22 players on a 5-a-side pitch because there appeared to be no room at all for any football. Wallace must have wondered if he's become a bad luck charm now that his last two substitutions have been followed by a goal for the opposition within a minute or two. It was also strange because when Lafferty came on I felt he didn't really do much, but his disruption was enough to take their focus from Morelos. And talking of that wee guy, what a goal his second was. His timing to get in front of the defender was absolutely perfect and a sublime finish. His value increases with every goal. I predicted a hat trick for him, but I'll take the two. You may not agree that it was a strange game, but I'm sure we're all united in our delight/relief that we won the game. We can all go and enjoy Christmas, and hope that Santa brings the 3 points we asked for next weekend, and then maybe a striker and midfielder in the January window. ??

That's funny. Who thinks these up?

I'm very happy to see the club's next captain signed up to a new deal. Jack is one of the most under rated players in the game. He's our Makelele/Scholes in that he does so much for the team that goes unnoticed. Gerrard knows an excellent midfielder when he sees one.

Who is Rogic anyway? One of 'their' players? Who cares? I'd prefer them to put out the best team possible because if we play like we did last night, we will beat anything they put on the pitch. GIRUY

I expect they will receive a great many complaints about this, not just from you and me.

He was actually very fair in his pre match comments too. The interviewer tee'd him up to criticise Morelos by reiterating "Morelos is back, and we seem to say that a lot given the number of times he get s sent off and suspended". However Lennon said "You can talk about the negatives if you want but I look at a really great player, and if Rangers ever didn't want him, we'd love to have him". Having said that, he did suggest that he's told his team to wind Morelos up, but that makes sense so it's no surprise really.

You're right, but the problem we've had in recent games was that we didn't create many chances. In the game last night, we created a ton of chances, which was very encouraging. If we keep doing that, we'll score enough to challenge in the league. Anyone notice the big difference last night? We discussed in another thread the need to have players making those inside runs, rather than just crossing from wide positions. It was so pleasing to see us getting back to that again. Coulibaly and Grezda terrorised them in that regard, and of course Morelos was running riot in the spaces created. That's the best we've played for a couple of months. More please!!!!