weebluedevil

The SG effect!

Ufa return leg has to be the priority, but I think we do have strength in depth with the notable exception of CB, so I think we can cope with these 3 massive games coming up. As others have said, I think one good reason to rotate out Morelos and/or Jack for the Well game is for fear of a sending off and suspension for the Celtic game. I still don’t trust those two not to react when provoked, especially Alfredo.

Doesn’t mean a word of that poor attempt at an apology, that he was clearly instructed to do by Motherwell’s lawyer, imo. Needs a ban for his disgraceful comments. Let’s hope we obliterate these morons on Sunday!

I think we’ve just done enough thanks to the clean sheet. Thought Ufa had a great defensive performance and we just weren’t able to find any space or time to spark something in the final third. Great periods of possession in the second half but lacked that killer final pass. On the plus side they didn’t cause our defense any problems with very little to offer when they tried to counter. If we score one over there I’m confident we go through, but it does change the game plan next week. I think we now have to search for that away goal rather than just keep the back door locked like we did in Maribor. Some positive performances - Ejaria had his best game for us yet with good hold up play, passing and stealing. Jack was composed again and Candeias’s work rate was superb - he was everywhere, so somewhat surprised that he was subbed tbh. Morelos again very strong performance and could have had a couple himself. Greegsy, what can you say? Another fine stop she needed. The ball didn’t bounce for us kindly tonight not helped the atrocious refereeing, but clearly we are in pole position. Not getting the run of the ball or fair share of good refereeing decisions yet come away with a win and clean sheet gives me great confidence for next week.

First time that I’ve listened to the GN Pod and thought it was a fantastic listen. Well done to all the contributors and editors!

Yep , really gutted about the kick-off time, and can’t really afford the time off, so will be RTV on iPhone propped up against my monitor.

Autocorrect on breasts from the east, but works just as well

Of course, totally understand, and whilst we are all drinking the SG coolaid, there’s an apprehension with most of the fans that they don’t want to get too confident in case we end up let down or disappointed - it’s the false dawn mentality. My theory is that we’ll feel that way if things don’t go to plan anyway, if we lose a game...or two...on the trot. So I’m just going with the momentum that we’ve created - I hate being too pessimistic, so I’m all in, and if we do have a blip then we get up and go again. Keeping the positivity and confidence annoys those breast’s from the east in any case so that a good reason alone! Let’s go!!!!!!!!!

Seems likely, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if Stevie G plays him upfront with Morelos to try to secure a good margin of victory and take the pressure off the return leg, especially since we have arguably our biggest test 3 days after that return leg. The good thing with our manager is he is comfortable playing different formations depending on the task and opposition. Having said that, it may be too soon to test that out in what would be KLs debut.

I was underwhelmed at first, I hope he keeps knocking them in against Celtic and proves me wrong. Welcome back Kyle!

Fair comment!

Very true!

I think the board need to make a punt prior to getting to the group stage as our 2nd leg of the play-off is 24 hrs before the window shuts. Based on what they’ve seen so far, they need to gamble on the fact we will make the group stage.

I still have to pinch myself when I hear Gerrard talk, Manager of Rangers. What a coup. This is real - finally we have genuine hope.

Tactical masterclass by Stevie G, and every player did what was asked - defend as if your life depended on it. I though we’d snatch a late goal for the ? on the cake, but it was McGregor’s penalty save and clean sheet that provided the cherry. Proud bear tonight!

I’m also a big fan of RTV and Tom Miller is an excellent commentator imo. He has some unique catchphrases and he knows the club and history inside out. Shuggy is definitely excitable but you can see how passionate he is about the club, it’s like listening to your dad screaming at the TV! The only criticism I have is there could be more post match analysis, it’s too short and wish we could stick around for manager and player reactions, otherwise a great product. Last season they introduced HD quality which had made a huge difference. Keep it up RTV!

I also read 800k. This doesn’t seem like good business to me. He didn’t do much wrong last season and we were all rejoicing when we signed him permanently. At 23 and of international quality, he should be in the 2m bracket at least.

It’s going to be a tough match against Maribor but we are also looking more assured and confident than we’ve been for many years so we’ve got a good chance across the 2 legs. The biggest question for us is where the goals are going to come from. Even so, I have a feeling we’ll find one from somewhere.

Forget doing it in a bar on PRW before a game, try it on the RM forum and you’ll see the response, it won’t be pleasant. Buster was 100% correct - there a different types of Rangers fan and in many ways the only thing that unites them is their passion for Rangers. I’m a huge Rangers fan but I’m toward the other end of the spectrum when it comes to many of the associated values that some of the staunchest of supporters behold. I don’t always believe some of those values are very healthy but they are entitled to them and I certainly wouldn’t want to ‘enlighten’ them in any way - you can’t change them. At the end of the day it enhances the rivalry and probably adds to the interest in the Old Firm outside of Glasgow. It does define us and perhaps we would lose that attraction if that wasn’t there.

It’s not a priority for me, would rather focus funds on 1. Stopping them and getting back to the business of being #1 2. Becoming financially stable with no debts

Spot on there! Very very stupid for someone that should know better. He has chucked an amazing chance to be given a fresh start under an amazing legend.

My perspective is only different in that he puts out a team that can hold their own against Celtic and are capable of taking points from them and the other top 3 or 4 teams. Even if we improve drastically next season under SG, we do need other teams to challenge as well.

After a few hours calming down time, it now seems the right time to post. I was raging with Morelos for not taking his chances and another sitter that seemed easier to score. However, I think it’s unfair to make him the scapegoat today. It was really our failure to stop them from scoring what were 3 poorly conceded goals that cost us today. We simply cannot afford to lose 3 goals and expect our front men to score more to save us from losing. Fod, again, struggled to cope with shots from distance, Cardoso was like a lamb to the slaughter and Alves still doesn’t convince me. I think Murty should have changed it up quicker than he did. Holt would have made a difference in the middle, especially when it was evident that Goss was not in the game today. I’d also have been tempted to bring the wise and experienced Kenny on in place of Josh when they went down to 10 men. So, yeah not Alfie’s best day, but certainly can’t let him shoulder the blame for th defeat today. Hopefully, he’ll put in behind him quickly. Anyway, this was only a dress rehearsal for the Semi-Final - that was always going to be the more important game, stopping their double treble. Hope Murty and the team learn from today - I think Murty’s future relies on it.

Horrific news! We will badly miss John for the Celtic game so if I were Murty I’d be looking to get Wallace in the starting line-up tonight and give him as much game time as possible before we face them.

I thank my lucky stars McInnes said no to us. We’ve had a few good transfer ‘results’ this season, but none that come close to that.