Popular Post stewarty 2,025 Posted February 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 1, 2018 After a nervy final 24 hours of the transfer window, with Chinese bids received and rejected for our top scorer, we survey the state of the squad and look forward to welcoming Hibs to Ibrox this weekend. Lennon's side will undoubtedly be combative. Look no further than the last game between the sides at Ibrox in August and the refereeing performance of John Beaton. At times it felt like a wrestling match Beaton was overseeing; and like all wrestling matches - he seemed to be steering towards a pre-determined outcome. Jesting aside, like many, I struggle with the idea that referees are actually biased. But that doesn't meant that they don't jump through some ridiculous mental hoops when it comes to how they referee us. Are we judged to a different standard? It often seems that way. But more likely, the standard of our officiating reflects the standard of the Scottish game overall. One of the the key protagonists for Hibs back in August was Anthony Stokes who, curiously, left Hibs yesterday by mutual consent. it seems even the bold Neil Lennon will only put up with his clear attitude and behavioural issues for so long, and that tells you something! Lennon has however brought in Florian Kemberi on loan from Grasshoppers Zurich to replace Stokes. He also brought in Cammy Bell from Kilmarnock, who replaces the departing Scott Bain who was on loan from Dundee and has now joined Celtic; as well as another couple of loanees - Jamie Maclaren and Faycal Rherras. Simon Murray who scored Hibs' first goal back in August has joined Dundee on loan, with Liam Fontaine going to Ross County. How much of an impact those player changes will make for Hibs remains to be seen. But as ever at a clubs like ours, it comes down to our own attitude and application first and foremost. We will need to win the battle first, before we can settle to play the game on our own terms. Murty has instilled a bit of grit to the team and its clear we find the big games easier to play in. With the new additions to our own squad, coupled with a productive training camp in the US for the Florida Cup, we've started the new year with confidence. Hibs will no no doubt put us under pressure at various times. The last game between the sides in December saw them go a goal up in the first few minutes and they were clearly the better side until we scored two goals late in the first half through Windass and then memorably Morelos, with his cheeky near post finish after a glorious bit of skill to eliminate his marker. We saw the game out but Hibs were wasteful at times and the game could have gone either way. Fans favourite Morelos remains with us for the time being. Murty's post match words on Sky following last night's scrappy win against Fraserburgh seemed to suggest that perhaps there wasn't much substance behind the bids from China. Given their transfer window still has another month to go, speculation will no doubt continue. I would however start Morelos and resist the obvious GIRUY temptation to start with Cummings on Saturday. I think its important we put an arm round the lad and make sure he knows he is loved and can progress his career with us. If he continues to improve he will get the move he wants so its not in our interests to stand in his way long term, unless we want to have a Dembele-like situation developing. Much of the rest of the team picks itself in my view, based on the game versus Ross County. Cummings for me is a stick-on to come off the bench and get a goal. I for one can't wait to see his celebration and the look on the spoon burner's faces. Match Prediction: Rangers 3 - Hibs 1 Morelos FGS 12 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,562 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Excellent preview mate - agree completely and I'm sure you'll team selection will be spot on to. FWIW, the bold Wullie Collum is Saturday's referee. I don't feel any more comfortable. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,562 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 PS: I'll publish it tomorrow am. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 6,082 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 God bless Graig Levein, "every player needs more protection from Scott Brown". If I could have an addendum, Dylan McGeoch should join the Lego eater on the list? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uilleam 5,935 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 11 minutes ago, 26th of foot said: God bless Graig Levein, "every player needs more protection from Scott Brown". If I could have an addendum, Dylan McGeoch should join the Lego eater on the list? McGeoch is a mere apprentice; he is not yet fit to sharpen the Great Man's studs. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 7,039 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 With that idiot Collum in charge it will be like playing against twelve men . 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,744 Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 The last two refs, MacLean and Aitken, IMHO weren't too bad all round. Given the amount of hand balls et al during the last two games, I was thinking about what might have happened if Collum or Thompson would have been out there ... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,562 Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 That's the preview up mate - many thanks: https://www.gersnet.co.uk/index.php/news-category/match-analysis/871-rangers-v-hibernian-wrestling-refereeing-and-rejecting-transfers 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whosthedado 1,685 Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 (edited) On 01/02/2018 at 11:57, Frankie said: FWIW, the bold Wullie Collum is Saturday's referee. I don't feel any more comfortable. I hadn't seen who the ref was Frankie, but the biggest insult I can give Collum is - I would rather it was Beaton!! Brilliant preview too Stewarty Edited February 2, 2018 by Whosthedado 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMAA 3,658 Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 I thought Hibs looked pretty good in the highlights from the other night. Barker and Boyle have the potential to get the byline and cause problems and Scott Allan adds creativity in the centre. But the bottom line is they haven't strengthened where they needed to, they create plenty chances but don't have a goalscorer. Kamberi scored the other day but his record is poor, and Murray & Stokes are away now. Further to that, this is Hibs' 5th big away game on the bounce (Aberdeen-Hearts-Celtic-Hearts-Rangers), and they've failed in the previous 4. The Aberdeen game was a humping and they failed to score in the other 3 (2 losses and a draw). So I'm confident we'll beat them. I'd like to see Docherty get a proper run out (half an hour at least) this time, he came to us match fit and we don't want to lose that. And the tempo may suit him more than Goss. And hopefully Cummings will come on with plenty time to do damage too, maybe for Windass. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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