DMAA

Very favourable fixtures in a season where the league is already done. Next season could be close and we will be away to Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs.

It’s a good problem to have, Tav is sending signals he has no intention to leave and loves it here. Patterson is breaking onto the scene and looks ready to develop into an Alan Hutton type player. I have no idea what to do about that problem but I hope we don’t sell Patterson, I would like to see him as the natural successor to Tavernier without costing us a penny.

To be honest I don't think the colour of Morelos' skin has anything to do with that, they hate each other, I don't see a reason to be cynical about the gesture either. Can't say the same about Celtic's initial tweet of support which they bizarrely accompanied with the hashtag oneclubsince1888.

I'm happy with that result. I think people underestimate the impact of a high intensity game against high level opposition 2 and a half days before this game (8pm kick off on Thursday, 12m kick off on Sun). Before the game I was a bit concerned they'd win, they had a full fortnight to prepare and were at home and this game was their big cup final, whilst our focus has been on the two legs vs Slavia during that fortnight. Losing Patterson in addition to not having Jack or an in-form Arfield left me a bit concerned. If you look back through history it is very common for the champions to lose one of the last old firm games. In light of that I think the players have done very well. And even in a low key draw there were a few additions to the list of things hilariously working against them this season. The irony of Balogun starting being our weakness and he ends up setting up our goal. Alfredo getting his first Old Firm goal, and getting it on their ground too. Edouard passing up the chance to pretty much score an open goal to take a dive (which we all know he only does because he is the penalty taker and the penalty spot is where he has been most comfortable shooting from this season). For once, the break comes at a good time for us (except Patterson maybe). Jack and Tavernier should be very close to returning by the time we get back, it would be great to have them back for the post-split games, especially the Celtic game.

If Alan Power had nicked the ball before Ryan Jack’s head would it have made any difference? Blue tinted specs all round here.

I’m a wee bit worried by the fact that we could be a bit fatigued from Thursday and we could be without a natural right back. The fact we don’t have Jack is a worry too. I expect we will probably go with Arfield again in that position who isn’t in his best form at the moment.

It isn’t live commentary mate. Apparently it was almost like an interview with Defoe with comments on the game about 30 seconds after they happened. People were complaining that it wasn’t in synch. Maybe it will work better this time though.

I was going to say the same. I’m hoping we spend good money on a quality player in that position at a good age. If we get that signing we would be set up really well for the future.

It wasn’t a 50/50, not even close. The keeper was just about to gather it with ease at his head height, there’s nothing the striker can do about that, the long ball just hasn’t worked. It happens all the time and I’ve never once seen a striker challenge for a ball like that before. It’s understandable people want to defend a Rangers player, and none of us think he had any intent, but I find it incredible so many think “he had every right to go for it” or it was a 50/50.

No, the ball was gone, keeper would have gathered it without issue if Roofe hadn't jumped at full pace with his studs up 6 foot off the ground. Very reckless from Roofe but it can happen in a moment of frustration, he went for a ball he had no right to go for. It was as clear a red card as we'll ever see.

They just keep digging. Appalling club.

In Gerrard's interview last night this bit got me. "How is Glen Kamara now?" "In the worst possible way you can be. Visibly upset. I've known this player for two and a half years and I've never seen him like this". It's very easy not to appreciate the actual impact it has on victims. It's horrendous that they have to through this playing at the top level of football.

Very good statement

Agree, but Aberdeen are on another level. On the Hibs forum there was none of what I quoted from the Aberdeen forum. Aberdeen fans seem to crave relevance by maximising the supposed rivalry with us. Their sevco thread is by far their most active thread.

Absolutely. Most of our team have elite level stamina, not least Kamara.

Kamara for me too, and it's not just a sympathy vote. I think he was excellent again and he is quickly becoming my favourite player. I think he covers more ground than anyone else on the pitch and the way he contributes to our defensive as well as offensive play is incredible.

Not in Europe but of course racists like Kudela are taking the knee every Saturday. It doesn't bother me in the slightest, I just don't think taking the knee should be a permanent fixture in football.

Slavia should receive a separate punishment from UEFA for their disgraceful handling of this whole episode. Knowing UEFA they are more likely to give us a fine for starting the second half 10 seconds late.

Don't ask me why, but I checked the Aberdeen forum and the comments are predictably deplorable. "The race card", "he deserved it", "deflection tactic", "what a shame", "maybe monkey means something different to them", "good to see monkey chants alive and well in eastern europe". That's only a sample! Scumbags. Loads of comments that would earn you an immediate ban on here.

Hadn’t heard that, thanks.

Yes they deserved the win and were the better team over the two legs because they got the goals. I just don’t think they are a better team. It was a proper 50-50 tie, the two teams largely cancelled each other out and it was decided by low probability goals. They reminded me a lot of us. They were very physical and very fit, they were shutting down the channels and tackling well and reducing us to long shots. We still had opportunities which we should have done better with though and on another night the result would have been different.

Yeh that’s fair enough. There are risks with either choice, in my opinion there is always more risk in dropping Helander.

There has been a lot said about going out to a better team. Slavia deserved their win but I don’t think they were the better team, I saw two very evenly matched teams who both toiled to create any chances at all. Unfortunately, Slavia scored early from a half chance which imo McGregor should have saved. Once that goal went in it was a uphill battle but the red card prematurely ended what would have been a fascinating contest, but I think we had every chance of getting back into the game and were starting to apply real pressure.

He gets caught with the ball when he runs with it though. I just find he is far mor prone to errors than Helander and that showed last night, he was lucky not to concede a penalty after a mistake. I also just find his passing is a bit more unsure, it doesn’t help that he is right footed and playing on the left.

That’s for the season after next. Next season we have two qualifiers to get through.