gersnet article (image) Changing of the guard

[Frankie 8,665]

Before Sunday's final Old Firm game of the season there was the usual manufactured controversy by the usual trolls in the media.  Last week it was Chris Sutton's turn to take the lead by suggesting Rangers should give Celtic a guard of honour ahead of the match to show respect for their title win.  Of course, given the rivalry between the clubs, this was never going to happen but it didn't stop several other journalists and pundits latching onto the 'debate' inferring Rangers lacked the class or humility to applaud the Celtic players onto the pitch.  Even Alan Stubbs and Neil Lennon had their say with neither having the brains to remember they or their clubs didn't offer Rangers the same guard when they played Hibs and Celtic after winning leagues in previous seasons.  As always, when it comes to Scottish football, the hypocrisy and mischief-making stood out more than any genuine point being offered.

 

No matter, this Celtic team do deserve praise.  To be on the brink of an unprecedented 'treble treble' is worthy of such and, despite the context that goes with their eight titles in a row, to win nine trophies across three years is good going and it would be churlish not to recognise that.  In fact, I'd go so far that if you're not prepared to do so, then it would just make Celtic's job easier in terms of extending their dominance.  Indeed, whilst Steven Gerrard clearly wasn't in favour of any bizarre guard of honour, as a professional himself, he will be well aware of how difficult the job is to challenge our greatest rivals going forward.  The current financial gulf alone makes his job a difficult one: not impossible but we are hamstrung fiscally and I do note the irony from when the boot was on the other foot twenty odd years ago.  Yet, that fairly recent history also shows nothing is a certainty in this country's national sport (take note Hearts).

 

Despite an unsuccessful season per se, Rangers have shown they meter out a challenge to Celtic in the coming years.  Yes, Celtic won the league fairly comfortably in the end but in the four matches against them, we at last not only competed with them but came out the four games looking the better side.  In the first match at Celtic Park, the hosts by and large dominated and ran out deserved winners but in the three games since, including the second game at Celtic Park at the end of March where we went down to ten men, we not only played the more composed football but we created the most chances whilst bettering them both tactically and physically.  Sure, they still won that March contest but, make no mistake, our efforts from that day were reflected in our own win at Ibrox on Sunday.  And, in turn, that result will have a bearing the next time we play them too.  Most importantly, it should give our own players the belief to approach next season with more confidence, addressing our problems with consistency and our ability to keep winning games when it truly matters.

 

Of course nothing is certain despite our splendid performance from the weekend but we are in a good place.  For much of this season we were too dependent on Alfredo Morelos and too one-dimensional in our play as a result. This made us predictable and occasionally easy to defend against: issues that have lingered from the managerial reigns of Warburton and Caixinha/Murty.  Fortunately, this season has been different with Steven Gerrard and his coaching team quickly able to find an alternative system to improve results.  The form of certain players has helped: not least the likes of Defoe, Davis and Katic but from being over-reliant on one or two individuals, we've played much better as a team since we lost Morelos to suspension.  In that sense, it's no coincidence, our overall play has been better for longer periods of games and we've both conceded less and scored more than in other periods of the campaign.

 

With that in mind our current form is well worthy of examination.  Since that unlucky defeat to Celtic at the end of March, we've won six games in a row.  Not exactly noteworthy on its own but these matches have all been against the best the SPFL has to offer.  We've beaten Hearts twice, Celtic, Motherwell, Aberdeen and Hibs: the latter two, teams we've struggled against earlier in the season.  We've also scored 14 goals and conceded only once.  Of course the season is nearing an end and some sides might well be ready for their holidays but, for me, that means our form deserves more praise, not less.  After all, when we finish our season this Sunday at Rugby Park it will be our 60th game of the last 10 and half months.  Yet the drive and hunger from the manager and his squad seems to be just as fresh as it was when we beat Shkupi last 12th July.

 

We're also well on our way when it comes to improving the squad for next season.  Bosman signings like Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie and Greg Stewart might not take us to Champions League glory but Glen Kamara has already shown since he signed from relegated Dundee that cost need not dictate quality.  If you were watching Liverpool's incredible comeback against Barca last midweek and their impressive domestic form throughout the season then Andy Robertson's less than glamorous background shows Scottish-based players can play at the highest levels: a belief that both Gerrard and Gary McAllister can offer any new signing.  And there will be more - perhaps a few that will whet the appetite in the same way that Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis have shown their quality once up to speed.

 

Conversely we will lose several players as well with a long list set to leave.  The vast majority of Foderingham, Alnwick, Hodson, Wallace, Worrall, McAuley, Coulibaly, Holt, Grezda, Dodoo, Herrera and Lafferty won't be here next season which is a large exodus.  More importantly, key players such as Morelos, Tavernier and Kent are uncertain to be here - though at least the Colombian and our skipper will realise serious cash should they move on, which could help us afford to retain Kent.  The reliable contributions of players like Goldson, Jack and Arfield will also be of interest to other clubs so new deals may be offered to keep their services.  Meanwhile, even obvious talent such as Dorrans, Docherty and Rossiter have struggled to prove themselves at the club so their futures may well be undecided too.  As such, whilst the squad turnover may not be as severe as we seen in Gerrard's first summer at the club, change will be obvious and next year's squad very different.  Given we'll be starting the hard work again this time next month, we'll need improvement to avoid the downturn of form we seen last winter due to our European exertions.  Ensuring the squad has the correct level of depth and quality therein is a big responsibility for Andy Scoulding and Mark Allen.  After all, if we are to be successful next season then we'll need to play more than the 60 games we did this term.  

 

All things considered Rangers fans asked for evidence of progress from Steven Gerrard and, as much as there have been some great disappointments this season, I think he's definitely provided improvement by and large.  To qualify for the Europa League group stages was a laudable achievement and to arguably win the head-to-head versus Celtic over the course of those four games demonstrates improvement; mentally as much as tactically.  Unfortunately, no cup finals and no league trophy shows work still needs to be done and a couple of wins over Celtic isn't enough to satisfy the support as long as they're the ones still celebrating trebles come mid-May.  In that sense, Sunday's result may have been meaningless but there's no doubt in my mind any momentum Celtic had after our travails of the last 7-8 years has been halted.  Perhaps not reversed (and they have plenty of financial fuel to apply) but enough of a marker to suggest a changing of the guard could be upon us. 

[buster. 5,257]

A 12 months apprenticeship and 3 transfer windows were always likely to be required before the SG&Co era began to take proper shape. 

 

From the moment we adapted to the 11th minute sending off of Morelos to dominate Aberdeen in the first league game of the season, I knew the management/coaching team knew what they were doing.

 

I'd say the managers biggest mistake was the starting XI for the Kilmarnock game we lost in January.

I think that is where the outside possibility of a title was lost.

 

Looking forward to next season with justified optimism.

ps. We need to get the recruitment right #Quality x3, Spine

[Frankie 8,665]

Agreed Buster.  The Killie game in January was a real disappointment and killed any challenge right there and then.

 

Ironically I think if the Cowdenbeath game a few days before that hadn't been called off, it might have yielded a better result at Rugby Park.

[26th of foot 6,119]

Frankie, a good succinct piece. It tells it as it is, and where we are at.

 

I suspect PQ will be calling, asking you to aid their reconnect with the Rangers support?

[Gribz 919]

I guess the only concern is if a large overhaul of players happens and we have to start again with new faces learning the system etc. The progress made this season just needs additions IMO but of course some of it could be out of our hands. Retaining Kent would be No.1 priority along with keeping Tav. We will certainly get another year out of McGregor in goal but I wonder if SG would take a punt on Joe Hart who will be available this summer. At 32 he would offer longevity.

 

Buster - agree, however at the end of that game at Pittodrie SG made an offensive change rather than a defensive one late on which could have had a big difference.

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,809]

I may be going out on a limb here but I can genuinely see us not just challenging but actually winning the title strongly next season. Celtic starting the season without Rodgers basically renders them back at square one IMO. Whether it's Lennon or a different manager, they won't have the same impact as Rodgers had on that team. On the other hand, we have team and management that seems to be learning from it's mistakes and with a season under belt and few quality additions we can only go from strength to strength. Our club has a feeling of positivity and momentum whereas the mob across the city have uncertainty and departures to entertain them during the summer. Ok they will go and win a treble treble this season. I care not about that as the architect of that success is nowhere to be seen. A good start is a no brainer next season and we have shown at the tail end of this season, we have the players and tools to beat everyone in this league. Let's not forget, we didn't lose the league due to the head to heads V Celtic. We lost the league due to naivety in winnable games V Aberdeen, Killie, Hibs etc.

 

Looking further ahead, I genuinely hope we can cash in on Morelos. Much of this season was side tracked by the circus that surrounds Alfie and I feel that if he is not there we will be more focused and we will have happy days ahead.

[T-1000 174]

I may be going out on a limb here but I can genuinely see us not just challenging but actually winning the title strongly next season.

 

BlackSocksRedTops, whilst I agree with your sentiment I think you have to also consider the other side of the coin.  Celtic will have a new manager and assuming this is not Lennon that may give them a bit of a lift.  It is likely that there will be at least some overhaul of their playing staff in the summer.  Judging from the results against ourselves and earlier ones  where they squeezed out a win it is apparent that their squad does not have the necessary strength.  The directors of Celtic I am sure will have been annoyed that they lost to us, since undoubtedly they want to go for ten in a row and see that this is now in jeopardy.  For that reason I can see considerable funds being made available to whoever becomes the manager.  Let us hope that they choose the wrong manager and that they buy flops.

 

 

 

 

 

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,809]

52 minutes ago, T-1000 said:

I may be going out on a limb here but I can genuinely see us not just challenging but actually winning the title strongly next season.

 

BlackSocksRedTops, whilst I agree with your sentiment I think you have to also consider the other side of the coin.  Celtic will have a new manager and assuming this is not Lennon that may give them a bit of a lift.  It is likely that there will be at least some overhaul of their playing staff in the summer.  Judging from the results against ourselves and earlier ones  where they squeezed out a win it is apparent that their squad does not have the necessary strength.  The directors of Celtic I am sure will have been annoyed that they lost to us, since undoubtedly they want to go for ten in a row and see that this is now in jeopardy.  For that reason I can see considerable funds being made available to whoever becomes the manager.  Let us hope that they choose the wrong manager and that they buy flops.

Your reasons are valid but are exactly the reasons why I think we will win the league. Whoever they get as a manager will not be Rodgers or anywhere near his level. Their squad needs an overhaul so that requires money and a glut of new players which doesn't guarantee anything. IMO, this much change can go 50/50. I just hope we can capitalise if their manager and new players are struggling. For this time in years, I would say there is more uncertainty over the summer at Parkhead than Ibrox

Edited May 14, 2019 by BlackSocksRedTops

[Gaffer 1,665]

Celtic do have their problems to resolve, and the managerial appointment is a tough one for them to get right, however for the first time since the Smith era it's all about what WE do this summer.

 

I won't care one iota who they bring in as their manager or as a big money signing if we can secure 3 quality additions while holding on to Tav, Arfield, and possibly re-signing Kent.  If we do that, I'll be confident even if they got Pep, Poch or Mourinho.

 

We now have a style of play that's a joy to watch if you're a bear, and a nightmare to deal with if you're the opposition.  We've had our bedding in season and the core of our team should ensure that any new additions quickly fit into the new style because they'll have a dozen other players to demonstrate and act as role models for the way Gerrard wants us to play.

 

I am excited to see who we can bring in during the summer, but to be honest I just want it to be the start of the new season already because even if we didn't make any signings, and even if they brought in Mourinho, I'd still bet a large amount that next season is ours for the taking.

[Gribz 919]

10 hours ago, Gaffer said:

 

I am excited to see who we can bring in during the summer, but to be honest I just want it to be the start of the new season already because even if we didn't make any signings, and even if they brought in Mourinho, I'd still bet a large amount that next season is ours for the taking.

I wouldnt mind them getting Mourinho. He is clearly not the manager he once was and will eventually throw the toys out the pram and players wont play for him. Plus he doesnt have an attacking style of football and teams could start to pick them off.