Hibernian 3 vs. Rangers 3 Apr.28th 2007

THREE BUT NOT SO EASY


For the neutral supporter, this must have been an excellent spectacle but for the rest of us it showed the frailties that have been at the forefront for the majority of the season.
The result actually summed up both halves of the season. The inconsistency of PLG paired with the stubbornness and grit of Walter Smith and it was the re-emergence of the PLG one up front system that caused us the most harm. Boyd failed to hold the ball up most times it came to him so possession was squandered on a regular basis, pair that with a pacey and bright Hibs side and it led to a very open game.
Prso and Rae dropped out from last weekend’s squad and they were replaced by Novo and Adam. The second of the two being our main saviour on the day, as twice his speciality free kicks hauled us back into the game.



Today’s team: -

McGregor: - It’s never a good day for any keeper when you get three knocked past you. In saying that two of those were excellent strikes from outside the area, which he had little chance with.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Not quite up to the very high benchmark that he has set himself in recent weeks. He was caught out once or twice defensively but did contribute a sublime chipped goal to draw us level at two two.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Ehiogu: - Looked ill at ease with the pace of Hibs from the first whistle to the last. He doesn’t have the guile of Weir to help him out in these situations.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Weir: - Not too comfortable with the Hibs attackers either but used his know how to good effect and tried to keep his back line in order. Hopefully he can experiment with a new partner, Webster? before the end of the season.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Papac: - Again deployed on the left ahead of Murray and did a reasonable job without ever excelling. Like the rest of the back line though, the constant pressure put on us never really allowed our full backs to spring forward.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Novo: - Brought back in to give us more width to the midfield but never got to grips with the game in the way we know he can. Moved forward in the second halve to partner Boyd as we searched for a third equaliser.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hemdani: - Mr reliable and Rangers player of the season just had his “off” day. Tried too much fancy stuff at the wrong end of the pitch and too often gave away possession most notably for their opening goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Thomson: - You knew when the ball had landed at his feet without ever having to look up. The boo’s didn’t seem to affect him too much though as he put in a decent shift. He still has a lot to prove to justify the two million price tag but he has age and time on his side.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Adam: - He above anyone else has reason to love the trips to Easter Road and more exactly, the areas just around the penalty box as for the second game running he has first humiliated then rooted the Hibs keepers with spectacular free kicks. The little wand of a left peg waved its magic once more.
Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM as he spared Rangers blushes with two crackers)

Bazza: - Was deployed just off Boyd to create and support but was all too often dragged back into the midfield battle that was being lost. He really needs to have men ahead of him to make the kind of passes that we know he can.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Boyd: - Not a good day at the office. Was asked to play the lone striker and struggled badly. The ball never stuck and he never got a clear sight of goal all day. Really needs a partner with him to see his best.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Burke (On for Hemdani): - Gave a wee injection of flair but not enough to turn the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Smith: - For the first time since his return, I thought the tactics were wrong but he did have the knowledge to change it around when it wasn’t working.
Rmed Verdict: - 5



Hibs must be given credit for putting up a very attacking display but it shows the level we are at that we struggled to even match them. The summer looms though and the transfer market will prove and interesting place for comings and goings over the next few months.


WATP

Baz.

Rangers 2 vs. 1 Hearts Apr 21st 2007

RAE OF LIGHT AFTER HEART ATTACK


It was a good three points which virtually secures our position in next years premier European competition and with Aberdeen only drawing, there are now twelve points to play for and a gap of ten. We may not be playing the best football but Walter has done his job and secured nine wins and two draws since taking part of the wreckage that was in January.
There were forced changes to the side through suspensions, but I don’t think there are too many Gers fans out there that would have predicted the side fielded today. Papac was deployed at left back for Murray, Ugo took his place back in central defence and Rae and Thomson were given the roles of wingers for the suspended Adam and Novo. Despite the odd look to the side though there was a toughness about it that took us through to victory.

Today’s team: -

McGregor: - I wasn’t 100% sure of his positioning for the goal but over and above that, he saw very little action for the rest of the match.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Another assured performance and one of the standouts of the day. His energy is exceptional as he bombed up and down the right side to give us as much width as possible. Great run and cross for Rae’s goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Ehiogu: - Coped well enough with a physical Hearts attack and you know he’ll never shirk a challenge. Not overly exerted though as big parts of the game were in the Hearts half.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Weir: - Didn’t look at his solid best at the start of the game and will be wondering how the Hearts attack went from box to box without a challenge being made before slotting home the opener. Rediscovered his form as the game went on.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Papac: - Was showing signs of having a very good game before being crudely pole axed after a terrific header that nearly netted the equaliser. Good to here that he recovered ok.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Rae: - Was on the edge of the game, in more ways than one, after being deployed on the right wing. All changed though after he connected with Huttons cross to head home and finish a good move. The goal seemed to up his confidence as glimpses of the Rae of old surfaced. Too little too late though.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hemdani: - What can I say, neat and tidy as always and never missed a pass. Will be annoyed that, as defensive midfield, he didn’t get any kind of challenge in as Hearts opened the scoring.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Bazza: - A fine midfield display and I wonder if there are many fitter players in the team. Covered acres of ground that a lot of his teammates wouldn’t bother with. Drove the team forward, especially in the second half, and finished all off with a belter of a goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 8

Thomson: - One things for sure, he definitely isn’t a left-winger. Spent a lot of the game drifting into a more central position and gave us very little in the way of crosses into the box.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Prso: - He’s had a season of bad injuries, he’s hanging his boots up at Rangers at the end of the campaign but that didn’t stop him being the most influential man on the park. His quality shone through as he powered his way through the Hearts back line and his 110% commitment to the jersey is an example to all that watch.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM he’ll be sorely missed next season)

Boyd: - Often praised for his scoring and pilloried for his work rate. He turned the tables today as he never once looked like scoring, but put himself about the Hearts back line.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Murray (On for Papac): - Came on in bad circumstances but let no one down.
Rmed Verdict: - 5



The season is very nearly done now with another victory securing all that is left for us. After those points, I wonder if Walter will be inclined to throw a few youngsters out there who might just give us a bit more hope for the future. Whatever happens though we’ll be glad when this one ends as we look forward to better things to come…..


WATP

Baz.

St Mirren 0 vs. Rangers 1 Apr.8th 2007

POINTS ABOVE PERFORMANCE

What ever happened to the days of one goal, leading to another, leading to a comfortable, confidant win? It was classed as finishing teams off and we used to be quite adept at it.
The last two games have been a struggle to watch in terms of footballing quality; even more so today as very few clear-cut chances from either side were created. This isn’t to say that the result wasn’t deserved as we were the better team but huge improvements have to be made over the summer and Walters job is looking tougher and tougher with every passing game.
Two changes were made to last week’s squad with Prso dropping to the bench and Murray dropping to the treatment table. There replacements came in the form of Ehiogu and Burke as, after yesterday’s results, we tried to make a statement of intent for second place.
To a certain degree, the plans worked, we got three points and a cushion of eight points over Aberdeen but the manner in which it was achieved is still a cause for concern.

Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Called into action a couple of times and did what he had to do. Another clean sheet to add to his record.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Had another decent game and was solid defensively. Broke forward several times but was too often let down by his final ball.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Ehiogu: - Reinstated at centre back with Papac being moved out left. Had a good tussle with Sutton and came out on top. Good physical performance.
Rmed Verdict: - 7

Weir: - The rock upon which Walters revolution has been built. Hardly broke sweat on a day where his guile was more than good enough to see off his opponents.
Rmed Verdict: - 7 (MOTM His experience spoke volumes.)

Papac: - From his previous record at left back left back it is not his preferred position but he slotted in ok and did what was required of him. It did leave us short of attacking options on that side as he was more inclined to sit back.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Burke: - We’re now well into April and he has still to find any kind of form for the season. He was a revelation for McCliesh last term but is a long way off rediscovering that at the minute. Poor display.
Rmed Verdict: - 4

Hemdani: - Tidy enough, but never managed to get any kind of stamp of authority on the game. In saying that, most of the time the ball bypassed the midfield completely.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Bazza: - Like Hemdani, the game passed him by. We never saw the driving runs past the forwards that we have seen all season.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Adam: - A couple of long diagonals to Boyd were about as good as it got for him today. Defensively he has a lot of work to do.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Novo: - A lot of dig and fight but couldn’t get onto the ball often enough. He got his goal though which he put away well and was moved to the right late on.
Rmed Verdict: - 6

Boyd: - Our very own goal machine was on the blink today as three or four good chances came his way and he failed to trouble the keeper with any of them. There will be better days for him.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Prso (On for Burke): - Gave a bit more presence to the team and had he been a bit sharper could have finished the game off.
Rmed Verdict: - 5

Thomson (On for Boyd): - Came on to waste a couple of seconds
Rmed Verdict: - 3


Smith: - Would have been pleased with the points but little else. Knows only too well the task that lies ahead.
Rmed Verdict: - 6


I suppose that the main aim of today was to capitalise on the slip up by Aberdeen and secure the champions league spot that could release extra funds for the new season. With that seemingly done we have little to play for and with the football on show today, it showed.


WATP

Baz.