Rangers 1 vs. St Mirren 1 Dec. 30 2006

FAULTERED FINISH TO 2006


Another game and another chance for the Gers to infuriate the already infuriated. Two more points dropped to a bottom six club does nothing to wipe the memory of Wednesday out of our minds before the dawning of a new year.
Granted, in the second half, we started to play some reasonable football and create some chances but it was a case of too little too late as we started the game with the same lethargic, who gives a crap, attitude that lost us the game in Inverness.
Oh, and just to shoot ourselves in the foot, we fail once more to capitalise on other results going our way in the battle for “second spot”!
We can only hope now that our very own “knight” in shining armour can come along and splash some cash in the opening transfer window. Sir David, it’s over to you!



Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Looked a wee bit unnerved today but wouldn’t we all if we were the last man of our defence! Not a lot to do except pick the ball out of the net after an unstoppable shot. (How come it only seems to be us that get those kind scored against us?)
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Don’t think he had too bad a day in defence and tried hard to push forward. Definitely seems to be developing as a player.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Svensson: - First dodgy performance we have seen from him in a while. He was caught in possession, shaky at clearances and really needs to turn on the radar when sending out those long passes!
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Hemdani: - Neat and tidy at most things and had to be with the two lads he found himself defending beside. Not an easy task and I’m sure he’ll be glad when wee Stevie gets back.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Papac: - I’ve had a go at him over the last couple of games for not being good enough at Left Back and for not helping out in attack enough well…………………….absolutely nothing has changed! And if Smith isn’t going to be fit then for god’s sake can we please play a half fit Murray in this position!
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Sionko: - Slightly brighter than Wednesday but not much as he drifts in and out of games. He really is a luxury that I don’t think we can afford at present. Burkey looks to be coming back at the right time.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Bazza: - Slow start to the game but came to life to try and find holes in their back line. We really need him firing on all cylinders just now because we don’t have anyone else at his level.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Clement: - Really didn’t have much to do defensively, which is his forte, but needs to add more going forward. I would like to see him drive forward occasionally when Baz sits back as I think his passing ability could be quite destructive.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Adam: - Like all my report cards used to say, “Must do better”. He seems to have worked very hard to get into the side but has now rested a bit on his laurels. His left foot will only take him so far, his all round game needs work.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Novo: - Worked hard in and around the feet of Boyd trying to pick up any scraps. He got into plenty of scoring positions, just had the wrong boots on today. Could have had a penalty too. Typical day for the Spaniard.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Boyd: - Brought straight back into the team as Le Geun had little other choice. Proved a good decision as he bagged the equaliser and could have easily taken the winner had he a little more match sharpness. Hopefully his return sparks the light in the dark skies that are hanging over Ibrox just now.
Rmed Verdict: - 7 (MOTM for getting us a least one point)

Burke (On for Adam): - Gave us a bit of needed penetration as they sat very deep.
Rmed Verdict: - 5


PLG: - Needs to get his players in a better frame of mind for every game, not just the big ones. Big question now is how much money do we give him to spend?
Rmed Verdict: - 5


The final memories of 2006 have not been good, in fact very few memories of 2006, from a footballing point of view, have been as our team has been transformed from mediocre into…….erm, well, mediocre. 2007 must now be the time for the Gers to truly turn the corner, with a couple of good buys, and start taking the fight back to the Celtic and anyone else who stands in our way!
I truly hope you all have a great hogmanay and a special start to the New Year.



WATP

Baz.

Inverness 2 vs. Rangers 1 Dec. 27 2006

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS


Ten of them, to be exact, were on show in Inverness tonight as, once more, Caley proved to be our bogey team. It truly was a Christmas hangover as we were out passed, out tackled and generally out played by a side who wanted the win more.
The loss of Prso was a big one for us as we failed, time and time again, to link the play from the back to the front. The midfield pushed up to try and support leaving far too much space behind for Caley to play in. This only goes to show how vunerable this squad is when it loses its better players.
In the bigger picture we have now lost our run of games in which good results and performances had instilled more confidence in the players and we must now look to start that all over again on Saturday when St Mirren come calling.



Today’s team: -

McGregor: - The only man in the team that deserves any kind of credit. God only knows what the score could have been without him between the sticks. It tells a sad story when he was the busier of the two keepers.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM some superb saves to keep us in it.)

Hutton: - Found himself in some great attacking positions only to mess up with his final ball. Had a couple of decent strikes and did ok defensively.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Svensson: - Bad positioning led to their first goal as he played four of their men onside. Generally had a decent game though and won his share of tackles and headers.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hemdani: - Not his best game by a long shot. Too many times he let Caley’s attackers get turned and get a run on him. Was also too susseptable to the high balls that kept raining in on him.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Papac: - Basically a liability. Caley got a lot of joy running down that flank and fireing in crosses. He didn’t close down quick enough and added nothing to the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Sionko: - Dumpling is, I suppose, ideal terminology at this time of year and sums up Sionko tonight quite aptly. No drive or dribbling skills that scared the Aberdeen defence and was rightly hooked early in the second half.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Bazza: - Tried hard to get his lethargic team going but to no avail. It wasn’t his best night either as his normal pinpoint accuracy desserted him.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Clement: - Was caught on the wrong side of his man time and time again, allowing them to get a run at our defence. Huffed and puffed but never got going.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Adam: - Like most of his team mates, he just didn’t get out of first gear. He did show glimpses of his left foot magic just no where near often enough.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Novo: - Ran and chased all night and had one sublime piece of skill as he bamboozled there defence but the fact that their keeper hardly had a save to make says a lot.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sebo: - Was not an easy night for him or Nacho as we tried to feed them long balls half the time but patience is starting to wear a bit thinner as we keep expecting and he keeps failing to deliver.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Burke (On for Sionko): - Great to see the wee man back and he certainly made a difference when he came on. A lot more direct and never scared to have a run at people.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Lennon (On for Novo): - Not the best night to make a debut and hardly got a touch.
Rmed Verdict: - 3

PLG: - He had dispair written all over his face by the end of proceedings. He must be scratching his head in disbelief about the Jeckyl and Hide nature of his team.
Rmed Verdict: - 5


The Christmas spirit can disappear so quickly but lets hope that the seasons cheer comes back with a bang on Saturday and that the run into 2007 is a good one.



WATP

Baz.

Aberdeen 1 vs. Rangers 2 Dec. 23 2006

NOVO WONDERLAND


The early Christmas present that we were all craving game gift wrapped by Novo and Sionko in a pre-Christmas cracker at Pittodrie. Ok, cracker is a bit of over exaggerating but the points are in the bag and road to recovery remains firmly on track.
Once more a terrific pace and energy in the first half saw us take a deserved lead only for the foot to be taken off the pedal allowing Aberdeen to put the pressure on and grab a lifeline with ten minutes to go and with the ref looking to play on for as long as it took them to grab an equaliser the final whistle came more of a relief than a celebration.
The points are what we need the most at the moment though and we can look more at performances once a bit of daylight appears between third spot and ourselves. After all it wasn’t so long ago that we were complaining about not being able to grind results out.



Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Thanked his woodwork a couple of times but other than that he was rarely tested especially in the first half. It’s good to see that last weeks mishap has passed him by with no affect.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hutton: - Another good shift at right back. He is looking more and more solid, defensively, all the time. Wonder if Le Geun’s coaching is starting to show through?
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Svensson: - The rough diamond is showing a wee bit of polish, at last. Another decent shift from the Swede. There is nothing fancy about him, he just clears his lines, which is the way we need to be defending.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hemdani: - I thought he looked a bit harassed and ill at ease today. This might be down to the fact that he was trying to cover two positions with his left back being posted missing too many times.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Papac: - Is proving to everybody with each game he plays that he is NOT a left back. Anything good that Aberdeen through at us came down his flank. He seemed inclined to drift into the Centre Back slot all the time. If we haven’t got Smith for a month then I hope that Murray is back soon.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Sionko: - This is the kind of performance that made PLG sign him in the first place. Energy, trickery and an eye for goal. Interlinked with Novo superbly down the right and deserved his goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Bazza: - Marked out of the game for long spells but still managed to push the team forward. He will have better games but will be happy with an away win in Aberdeen.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Clement: - Apart from one tackle that he bailed on, I thought he put in a very hard days graft. Always willing and available covering a lot of ground and his passing is very accurate.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Adam: - I hadn’t been overly impressed with him recently but he showed his other side today. He tracked back, tackled hard and caused problems going forward. The first two of those are normally his weaker attributes but definitely not today.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Novo: - Hard work can get you a long way and if ever proof was needed then look no further than wee Nacho. He epitomises what pulling the shirt on means and with PLG stating that the team now has passion, I for one put a lot of that down to Novo being back in the team.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM caused no end of problems for them)

Prso: - Huffed and puffed a bit today but could afford to take it that bit easier with Nacho and Sionko producing that kind of form. Subbed early and can relax and enjoy Christmas now.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sebo (On for Prso): - 1.8 million doesn’t buy you much these days. Well not on today’s showing anyway. Ran into some decent positions but seems to run out of ideas when there.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Rae (On for Novo): - His first touch gave away the goal and did very little else.
Rmed Verdict: - 3

PLG: - I think his style of coaching is starting to show through with some good football and passion. We just need to learn to kill games off.
Rmed Verdict: - 7


With the points in the bag and the Dons put back in their rightful place there is no sign of a blue Christmas for Gers fans. So let me take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for Christmas and have a beer for me!



WATP

Baz.

Rangers 1 vs. Celtic 1 Dec. 17 2006

MIXED EMOTIONS


A lucky deflected goal saw Rangers clinch a late equaliser but that in no way what so ever told the story of a great Old Firm encounter.
The better football with the better possession and the best attacks all came from, what looked like, a very fired up Rangers side. The post, each side, the keeper and a couple of near misses all made for a deeply frustrating afternoon as we fought doggedly for an equaliser and came so close to a winner.
There was no doubting the dominant force of the game, which makes it that wee bit harder to accept that we only took one point. In saying all that though the game did remind me of many a Rangers Celtic game in Walter’s time where the tables were turned.
Overall I see it as another step forward for us as once again we produced the kind of football that would trouble any side. Just need to work on finishing the chances.




Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Talk about a mixed bag. Flapped terribly for the Celtic goal but redeemed himself with an outstanding save from McGeady in the second.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hutton: - Excellent day for the much maligned right back. Put McGeady in his place and really looked fired up. Supported the attack well, just needs to work on his crossing.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Svensson: - Had a very solid game up against Zurawski. He was strong in the air (surprisingly) and good in the tackle. Looks to be taking command of the back line
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hemdani: - Cool and composed on the ball and always looking to play it out of defence, unlike his no compromising partner. What a time to claim your first goal for your club too.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Smith: - A rash day for Smithy today. I don’t know if the occasion got to him but he wasn’t his normal steady self in attack or defence. Very lucky not to give away a penalty. (Can’t blame him for wanting to put the boot into Lennon though!)
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sionko: - Ok in flashes but just doesn’t give enough. Had a lot of the play come to him but his end product just wasn’t there. In saying that he was very unlucky with his shot on the rebound, which clipped the post.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Bazza: - What can I say that I haven’t in the last few weeks? He is Glasgow Rangers and looked a level above anything he was up against today. I just wish, and no that he will, that he had rounded it off with that goal in the first half.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM controlled the game from start to finish)

Clement: - Does all the dirty work and tracked runners all over the pitch. He has become an ideal foil for Bazza and makes some very telling passes of his own.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Adam: - Not in the game enough for me. He doesn’t like being wide out on the left and quite often Smith was left isolated at the back. Whipped in a couple of crosses but could have done more.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Novo: - All the usual work and passion from the wee man. Worked Celtics back line very hard and was unlucky not to get the reward of a glorious goal in the first half.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Prso: - Ran his heart out for the team. Battled with McManus and Balde and came out on top. It’s really sad that his knees are giving out because he could lead the line for a few years yet.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Sebo (On for Sionko): - Thought it was nailed on for him to score in the dying minutes. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Buffel (On for Adam): - Didn’t add anything in the 10 minutes he got.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

PLG: - Set his team out well and had them fired up. Must be feeling a little frustrated at not quite getting the rub of the green today (penalty claim excluded). Will be happy at the effort and desire shown though.
Rmed Verdict: - 8


A good day that could have been so much better for us. If nothing else we have proved to ourselves that we can more than compete with this Celtic team and that has to instil a greater confidence throughout the squad.



WATP

Baz.

Rangers 1 vs. Partizan Belgrade 0

SECOND STRING SECURE TOP SPOT

With qualification already secured and another game in mind come Sunday PLG rang the changes through the squad and asked the second string to prove that we have more strength in depth than we thought. Baz, Clement, Adam, Prso and Sionko were all rested and Buffel, JRod, Rae, Sebo and the lesser sighted N’Diaye were all given the chance to prove themselves in front of the weather braving fans.
The win and top spot gives us a small but timely boost before Sunday but rest assured we will need our big guns back for what will surely be a bigger challenge.



Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Was there when it mattered again. While accepting long shots without too much trouble for most of the game he pulled off a spectacular close range effort near the end.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Hutton: - Our best attacks and their best attacks came down the same flank. This says a lot for Hutton’s forward and defensive abilities. Luckily it was the former that won us the game. Great goal and I must admit I was happy for him.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Svensson: - Not rash and doesn’t concede needless free kicks. Composed performance and is cementing that centre back spot quite nicely now. Could have scored with a better header too.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

JRod: - One of his last outings for the Gers? If so it gave us an inkling as to why. Gave away possession too much and is always liable to jump into a tackle.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Smith: - Has all the attributes to go on to become a Gers legend. Pace, energy, ability and is even adding strength as several times he bullied his opposite number out of possession. Good all-round game.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Hemdani: - Moved up the pitch slightly and didn’t disappoint. Controlled the flow in the first have and held a make shift midfield together in the second. Acted like a sweeper more than once as well to mop up at the back.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM for keeping a poor midfield going)

Rae: - Seemed to lack everything tonight. From bite and aggression to passing and tackling his overall performance was poor. It’s a shame but I think his days are numbered too.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

N’Diaye: - A lot of work rate, but didn’t seem to no what to do when he had the ball. Too many times he ran into trouble or relinquished possession. Another who didn’t grasp his opportunity.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Buffel: - very-good first half where he caused problems and ran the width of the pitch looking space. Same old story though where he disappeared in the second and seemed to lose interest.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Novo: - The usual grit and determination from the wee man but I think he missed the class of Ferguson tonight to feed him decent balls. Too many times a ball came in from the heavens, which isn’t ideal for a man of five foot four.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Sebo: - Plenty of tricks, flicks and guts about his performance tonight but he could have Abramovich’s billions and still not buy himself a goal just now. Two glorious chances were well save in the first half. Hasn’t done enough to be selected for Sunday.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Sionko (On for Novo): - Contributed very little to the nights proceedings
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Lowing (On for Hutton): - The natural successor to the right back slot?
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Stanger (On for Buffel): - Nice to get a run out on Euro night
Rmed Verdict: - 3

PLG: - To a calculated gamble by resting key members. He got away with the first part by securing top spot, now for the second….
Rmed Verdict: - 7


A win is a win as they say and it was a good one tonight considering the changes. I think though that seeing what we have in reserve tonight might just lead to one or two dealings in the transfer window.



WATP

Baz.

Rangers 3 vs. Hibernian 0 Dec. 09 2006

GOAL’D RUSH

Was the Falkirk game really only one week ago? The change in attitude, performance, fortune and result is quite simply amazing!
The first half saw a quite superlative footballing lesson taught to the men in green and hopefully the same colour will face the same fate next weekend.
From front to back our passing game was excellent as time after time we sliced open this very fancied Hibs side.
This is the type of football that PLG wants us to play and he has now proved to himself, as well as us, that we can play that way. All it needs now is consistency.



Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Made the saves that were needed, which wasn’t many. Not the type of day for him to show us what he can really do. Thank god.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hutton: - One of his “up” performances of his very up and down season. Got forward exceptionally well to support Sionko and caused one or two problems of his own for the Hibs defence.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Svensson: - Albeit slowly, he is adapting to our game and is starting to look more of the player that we were all expecting when he signed. A big test will be to follow, follow next week.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hemdani: - Clean, tidy and efficient at the back against what is one of the most effective attacking sides in the SPL. Will be happy with his input to the team today.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Smith: - Good to see him return to the starting line up. Played like he’d never been away and will be happy with the clean sheet.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Sionko: - His first start after a long spell out of the team and didn’t fail to impress. Direct, pacey dribbling terrorised the Hibs defence in the first half especially.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Bazza: - Work rate, effort and a goal to boot. We really can’t ask anymore of him just now and long may it continue. Inspirational performance, which rubbed off on the rest of the team today.
Rmed Verdict: - 9

Clement: - Showing signs of rediscovering his best form. Negated the threat of Hibs midfield three and found time to push forward and create as well.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Adam: - Didn’t look as comfortable out wide as he does in the middle but gave a good showing with some decent strikes. Needs to produce the magic of his left foot more regularly.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Dado: - Shame on anyone who dared to suggest that the big man was passed it. Amazing performance in his more favoured strikers role. Gave the Hibs defence the run around and finished off one of Rangers best moves.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM left wing or striker? The debate may re-open)

Novo: - With a glut of goals on show he’ll be disappointed not to be among them. Did everything but score with a typical Nacho display. Linked very well with Prso in the adjusted 4.4.2 system.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Sebo (On for Prso): - Must be disappointed not to have started. Missed a couple of chances when he came on.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Rae (On for Sionko): - Shored things up as we dropped the pace in the second half.
Rmed Verdict: - 3

Buffel (On for Novo): - Came on and his only moment of note was a yellow card for diving.
Rmed Verdict: - 3

PLG: - Changed the system and saw a terrific first half display. It shows what the team really can do when they click. Next weekend will be his next big test.
Rmed Verdict: - 7


The second half dampened spirits a bit, but nothing should take away from what was a terrific first half performance. We haven’t had enough positives to cling to this season so to beat a highflying goal hungry Hibs side by three goals to nil is definitely worth a bit of celebrating.


WATP

Baz.

Falkirk 1 vs. Rangers 0 - Dec. 03 2006

WEATHER BEATEN

Or so I’ve been trying to tell myself since the final whistle. Torrential rain and driving winds did not make conditions conducive to passing football. Truth be told though, Falkirk managed it extremely well and came away with a deserved victory.
The “mini” revival has ended up being just that and once more we have to start from scratch and rebuild the confidence.


Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Gave everyone a heart attack when Hemdani's pass back went flying past him but recovered well to save our blushes. Nearly stopped the goal but ended up deflecting it past the man on the post.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Hutton: - Sloppy in possession and rash in the tackle all added up to a miserable afternoon for Hutton. I kept looking to the bench, seeing Lowing sitting there and wondering how far he is from getting a chance.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Svensson: - Looked our best defender. More confident in the air than normal, considering the conditions, that’s quite amazing. Was also strong in the tackle, just needs to sort out his distribution now.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hemdani: - Reasonable performance considering he much prefers the passing game to the hoof it clear defending that was required today. His day was made harder by the non-existent midfield letting Latapy run riot.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Papac: - Not so bad at the back, but struggled badly in attack. Smithy is a big loss in this position and hopefully will return shortly.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Clement: - Looked to be chasing shadows all day as Falkirk easily passed there way through our midfield. Not a memorable performance.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Bazza: - Pushed forward as much as possible but couldn’t put the finishing touch on any moves. Wasn’t the influence he has been in recent weeks.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Adam: - Decent pushing forward but, once more, shown up in defence. We didn’t press the ball, or seem to want it as much, as Falkirk. We really need more bite in there.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Novo: - Bright and lively in the first half but disappeared in the second. Effort was, as normal, faultless.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Dado: - The exact opposite to Novo. The first half passed him by but seemed to take more responsibility in the second. His final ball left a lot to be desired though.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Boyd: - When we thought the day couldn’t get worse, our top striker limped off the park. Showed one or two nice touches and I’m sure he’d have tucked away one of our chances, had he been on, in the second.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Sebo (On for Boyd): - Looked ring rusty but with no lack of effort. Might get a couple of games now if Boydy is out.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Buffel (On for Papac): - Gave us more direction and quality. Our main threat in the second half and set up two, guilt edge, chances.
Rmed Verdict: - 7 (MOTM through pure lack of competition)

Sionko (On for Dado): - Had little time to make any difference and hence, didn’t.
Rmed Verdict: - 3

PLG: - Has taken his time to become acclimatised to his new surroundings, now comes the weather. Didn’t deal with it as well as his opposite number.
Rmed Verdict: - 5


The team with the more will won on the day and once more our hopes have been dashed as we were starting to believe again. Lets hope it was just a small blip and that the corner that was being turned has not come round full circle.



WATP

Baz