Gaffer

0 - 4 and Morelos to score first

What a game of football! Disappointed we couldn't convert our chances, but loved the match. Thistle converted their chances and we didn't, but you couldn't fault the effort of the players. And it has to be said that Thistle are a quality team. If they keep that up (which I doubt), they'll do well this season. I still can't believe we didn't win that though. We battered their goal for 30 minutes and couldn't score.

That was a poor free kick to give away but bad luck on the deflection.

The first half was such an exciting game. I've no idea how Thistle haven't won a game yet. Their play and movement is better than anyone else we've played this season, and they are working so hard. I wonder if both teams can keep this going in the second half, but I doubt it. The pace must surely die down after 60-70 minutes. What it does show however is that we have a very unique style of play that's great to watch, and every player seems to know exactly what he's doing at all phases of play. I have to say it though, that Miller is causing a few of the moves to break down with his poor touch and passing, but he is working hard as usual. Morelos is on a different level here. Confidence is oozing out of him and he's like Aguero but better. Yes, I did say that and I mean it.

Some of our play is just awesome. Morelos is running the show. We're 33 minutes in and I'm sure he's won the ball back about 5 or 6 times. And within a few seconds he's back forward attacking.

How does he get so much power from there? This boy is the real deal

Goooooooal. MoreLos. Fantastic play

Oh no. Wallace has pulled his groin and is replaced by John.

What a start to this game. The tempo from both teams is incredible and is set up for am exciting game. Thistle are definitely going for a win here.

In many ways, this will be the toughest test for our league position ambitions. I say this because Thistle are excellent at pressing and closing down space at the back. They have an extremely fit team with excellent workrate, so if we have any prospect of picking up points from defensive teams, this game will show us how much we've improved at creating chances in such games. It was in these games that MW's teams failed to deliver and we really must find a tactic that overcomes these opponents. Obviously the Celtic game will show us how far we've closed the gap on them, but that's a different issue. If we hope to finish second (which has got to be our objective), we need to be picking up 3 points here. For me, and I know I'm like a broken record, Miller does not have the technique to move the ball quickly enough so I'll be disappointed if he starts. I appreciate Pena is not yet mentally sharp enough yet for such a tight game, but he's much more likely to find the space and has to start, unless of course the manager thinks NK would be a better option for at least 50 minutes. Once again though, there is a lot of pressure on Jack and the two central defenders. Thistle will counter attack with speed and they're a real threat as many other teams have found. This is a tough test, but victory is surely going to provide a great confidence boost ahead of the old firm game.

On the balance of probability, we will lose each game to them for a while longer. It's a difficult situation to accept, but it's what we are faced with. I do however agree that we need to be able to demonstrate progress, and show that with each game we are closing the gap on them. PC's performance will be judged on our ability to take the majority of points from the other teams, and his ability to show we are challenging Celtic more and more.

I was thinking what the hell does Trump have to do with Morelos, and then ..... LOL. Brilliant! In answer to the question, what value do you put on our 55th title? That's what he's worth to us, so we cannot afford to sell him, no matter what anyone is willing to pay. Let's get 55 first and then sell him for the amount Trump suggests.

When I've seen Pena play in the past, he has had a knack of being able to find space, and on Saturday I thought he, Jack, Morelos, Miller and Candeias found acres of it. Pena is an exceptional talent and I'm hoping the goal is the catalyst he needs to start building momentum, because there's nothing like him in Scottish football since Gazza (although he's not in that league yet) and he could be an incredible player for us. I mention the others that were able to find space, because it's a real talent, and one that PC needs to implement his style of play. The problem we have is that the other midfielders and attackers need to develop this too, and it's one of the most difficult skills to teach. Of course, Miller has always been great at finding space, but he doesn't then have the consistent technique or decision making skills to do the right thing with the ball when he receives it. He's a workhorse though and there's no doubt PC rates that attribute highly. Jack is a signing that few of us would have been excited about initially, but he could be pushing Morelos and Candeias for player of the season if he keeps up with this performance level. His positioning is excellent and he has enough composure to fill the stadium. He could be our next captain. Although it's still very early days, Morelos is the one we've all been hoping for. He has all the key skills and attributes you'd want in a forward and gives it his all for the 90 minutes, meaning that he's even more likely to continue to be a fans' favourite. He will no doubt be working on his support play for team mates (in particular where he could be making runs to create space for them), but this is a relatively minor issue for someone who contributes so much for the team already. Although PC has demonstrated his ability to spot and sign top players, I think it's worth pointing out that MW did leave us with one top player and that's Wes. He can look suspect sometimes (with his positioning), but what goalie doesn't. However, his shot stopping and reactions are top class, and his distribution can be as good as Neuer's, if not better. His pass out wide to Candeias would have attracted more attention and acclaim had he been Brazilian and playing for Real Madrid or PSG. That ability he has is worth millions if done consistently and there must be a good number of top teams watching him with interest. Fortunately he is OUR goalie and I hope he does indeed add a few more hundred to his appearances for us. It's said that first you form, then you norm, and then you storm. I feel like the team has now just about formed, and PC seems to know how he wants the team to shape up to play the style he wants. The players seem to know exactly what they're supposed to be doing, and they appear to be enjoying it too which is great to see. We now need to start to norm, and for this to happen we need a dozen or so good games and results. If we keep this going this season, I'd really like to think we'll be ready to start the storming next season, if not for a cup before then.

That should exactly why I'm glad PC is our manager. Why would anyone be going into a game not believing in themselves?!? If we you think you're inferior, you've lost before a ball is kicked. I'll now go back to putting my head in my hands. We've got enough detractors on the outside without reading things like this.

That's we all want too Pedro .... "when you cut them, they bleed blue for Rangers"

The players seem to know what to do very clearly, because as you said, they do it very well for bursts. The problem is in keeping it going. Maybe MOH isn't smart enough to understand, and maybe that's why he's away. Either way, I don't think I'll spend a single second more thinking about what MOH thinks. He had his chance and blew it.

This is a brilliant story, and thanks for sharing it. Most of all though, thanks for all the fantastic work done to preserve and pass on the history of our club. It's fascinating.

Please, please, please make this one true. Hearts will be taught a lesson if we go for him instead of Walker. We can then sign him for free. Eliseu is a cracking player f course, and is exactly what we need for balance on that side. I would have thought he'd be on a huge wage though. Can we afford another player like that? I hope so.

That was fun to watch. What I noticed is that he is completely comfortable on either foot. In fact, I still don't know what's his stronger side.

I've said it before, and I make no apology for saying it again. It's actually the worst type of 'journalism' because it's lazy. How many of the stories in the press required any of them to get off their backsides and find the story, or the exclusive? In fact, I can't remember the last time I ever read such a story from any of them. The fact is that they are now bloggers with opinions that are less informed than many of us are on here, and cannot compete with the true journalists on the forums. I've read more insight on this forum about signings, tactics, and board issues than I've ever read in a newspaper. They now have no purpose to anyone who is a true football fan. Their modus operandi now is to find something that Celtic fans (and others) will enjoy reading to the detriment of Rangers, regardless of how relevant or true it is. The sad thing (as if it could be sadder) is that they're not biased (in my opinion) towards Celtic. If Celtic was the injured animal, I've no doubt that these lazy imbeciles would write stories that we'd like to read about the demise of Celtic. That's how they survive and I don't think any of them have the skills or attributes to change now. I'd be surprised if any of them have the energy to either because they are now set in their ways. It won't take long before they find themselves completely redundant. They have been for me for a long time. I don't read newspapers at all. They all receive their news from the same source - Reuters. They then repeat it as if they've identified this story themselves. This is equally true for Sky News as it is BBC, and the majority of news channels. It's actually embarrassing because very often they don't even change the wording of the briefings arriving from Reuters, meaning that they all have exactly the same script. At least try to pretend, surely!?! If you want to know what's really going on, social media and the Internet forums are the places to find out. Roll on the day where this nonsense stops. Some people are Machiavellian, and others appear to be, but are just lazy. I think I've got more respect for the former because at least that requires some thought, imagination, and effort. The latter only requires a poor attitude to work and life.

There are quite a few positions we're suggesting for improvement, and in some cases every position. Out of interest, if there was just one position you'd want to improve, what would it be? If we are playing with two paired strikers, I'd like to see us sign someone to compete with Herrera (to partner with Morelos). If we are playing with PC's (and my) preferred setup with 3 attacking midfielders in a type of 4-2-3-1, we need the left sided attacker more.

I realise it's late, but I only just watched that line of questioning from Sutton. That was pathetic. If that's all he can do to try to wind PC up, he's going to have a tough job against someone who has forgotten more about football than Sutton will ever know. Sutton is just an attention seeker. Having said that, I thought it was disgraceful that CS was allowed to continue like that. He's an embarrassment and should be reprimanded for that.

You keep barking compo, but the caravan keeps on rolling.

I agree. He's a clever man so he has had his reasons for saying that like that, but until I (if ever I do) understand that reason, I'll put this down to an error on his part. What is MOH's value anyway? After doing nothing last season, I'd be unwilling to pay anything for him if I was at another club. Him and McKay did nothing last season. At least Waghorn put the effort in, which is why I like to see him doing well now.

If that's true that MOH said that, then I agree he has no place at Rangers ever again. I'll be disappointed and very surprised if he was so disrespectful. The manager (no matter what you think of him) has to be respected (in terms of his position at the club) or the whole team falls apart. This is basic team building and hence why I don't believe for one minute that he's been stupid enough to say that. As for PC saying he's not the type of player Rangers needs, I also agree that it was ill judged to have said that, but I'm assuming this was calculated and a clear statement of intent.