calscot 0 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Both seem important, but how much should we be keeping back for Sunday - Steven Naismith for instance? Europe is a bonus these days but the attraction of a possible rare quarter final berth must be tempting. It seems the "diddy cup" has suddenly taken over a much greater significance for us and for Walter, both directly and psychologically. With Celtic knocking us out the Scottish Cup and beating us in the league, we feel unempowered and angry. We desperately need revenge and beating them back in a cup final would not only furnish our minimum expectations of winning one of the two cups, but give them the bloody nose we think they deserve for daring to be the leaders in the marathon SEVEN head-to-heads this season. We need to win the last two of the to end up on parity - and if we manage it, probably taking a third league and cup double in as many years while we're at. So it seems two wins against our rivals could be the key stone for completing what would be a very successful season. Losing them could, turn our season into a disaster - a delicate balance that would surprise some outsiders. Walter has seen off every other Celtic manager he has encountered, having a positive record against all of them - and I think he needs one more win against them to be the managerial record holder. The best he will be able to do against Lennon will be the draw, seeing as he is leaving in the summer - and one can imagine it's something he's keen to achieve. But Walter also has the ghost of a maligned European record to put to rest and must be tempted by a third quarter-final in his tenure, so surely he still has to treat the PSV game seriously? However, it is in Europe where is on a hiding to nothing. If we qualify for the next round and are outclassed by a team from the last eight in the competition while playing his most successful European tactics, then he'll still be slaughtered by fans and the press alike. Even reaching the final did not absolve him from this, three years ago - only winning the competition outright will be anywhere close enough to appease his critics. I think, therefore, that while putting in a decent effort tonight, the team selection will have one eye on Sunday's showdown and that a more attacking mindset will be there not only because we have to score to go through - maybe even twice, but also that the gaffer will want to avoid the leg sapping and injury risking possibility of extra-time at all costs. This coming League Cup final, will probably be the most hotly contested in years. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
metlika 0 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 For me we are competing for a trophy on Sunday against our greatest rivals it is for me the more important fixture and especially our recent dire form against them to get one over them when as I say a trophy is up for grabs. No doubt the fixture tonight is important. If I had to choose one win then it would be on Sunday. Walter I don't think can get a positive record against Lemmon, W1 D1 L4 with 2 games left 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Both very very important, but tonight's game means a lot more to Rangers financially. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 966 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 The fact its an OF final swings Sunday to be a bigger game yet if we were playing Inverness in the final the PSV match would probably have been the bigger. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete 2,499 Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Both very very important, but tonight's game means a lot more to Rangers financially. Nail on the head. The money and the pride of winning were at stake tonight. Unfortunately both are being strangled out of our proud, proud club 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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