Inverness 0 vs. Rangers 3 August. 4th 2007
BARRY “ILLIANT”
This was a big day of firsts for the club. We had the 1st game of the season, the 1st start for De Marcus Beasley, the 1st clean sheet of the campaign, the first win over Inverness for far too long, but it was also a very special 1st for the creator of Rangersmedia, this was the 1st time he has been able to witness the might that is Glasgow Rangers on the soil of which the club was built and in doing so has been able to watch the game with many of the members who frequent, and make RM the special place that it is. So here’s to you CanadaReady :beer: and if the Rangers are going to get results like this when your in town then you may never be allowed to leave!!
Smith sent out a side with two changes, to what had looked his settled side, replacing the injured JCD with Beasley and also Adam for Thomson. This also signalled the referral back to a 4-3-3 from what looked like the preferred 4-4-2, but the changes worked and for decent spells of the game we looked solid, compact and creative. Some might say that its only Inverness but they are a hard nut to crack and a very tough, especially on recent games there, side to bring points away from. So for a season’s opener and a long round trip, all in all it has been a dam good day.
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - Looked a touch nervy at a couple of early corners, but settled into a game that saw him take very little part. One game, one clean sheet.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Straight back into action after his midweek walk of shame, had a few flurries forward but looked to have been asked to hold a slightly more defensive role than normal. Like the rest of the defence though, had little to cause him problems.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Cuellar: - Looking better and better each time I see him. He has this uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time when he is needed. He got his 1st glimpse of the Scottish “long ball” tactics and he just cruised through the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Weir: - He’s waited for a while, but has now got someone beside him that he can truly call a partner. The two central defenders both look composed and easy and dealt with the few challenges that came their way. Will have tougher days, but you can only play against what’s in front of you.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Papac: - Once again, defensively sound. Covered in well and guarded his flank. He is certainly a Mr reliable in that department, but has to offer slightly more support to his left sided attacker.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hemdani: - Looked a lot more comfortable player against the lack of midfield pace in the Caley ranks than he did in midweek, but still looks a wee bit short in form. He kept things neat and tidy though which really is his forte.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Bazza: - Played in, what he claims, is his more favoured forward role. He has lived with the monkey of that twenty-goal season on his back for too long now, maybe this is the season that he proves that he is capable of running a midfield and banging in some goals to boot. Excellent display and show of intent from the captain.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM Two cracking goals to start the campaign!)
Thommo: - Back from injury and showed a real hunger to be involved in the play. Tackled hard, tracked back but also managed to push forward and help the attack. It was a good showing and a more confident showing by the man that has taken a few months to settle.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
McCulloch: - Praise goes to the big man for his work rate and his versatility, as he was once more shifted position just after the break. Looked more comfortable as the lone striker and set up Nacho beautifully for the second goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Beasley: - The first competitive sighting of the talented American and he showed a little of what he is all about today. Some good pace that scared the life out of the Caley defence, who then decided to revert to just hacking him down at any opportunity. He managed to whip in some nice crosses and was also seen digging into a couple of challenges in midfield.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Boyd: - Seems desperate to answer his critics, and nearly did with a shot that deflected onto the bar and agonisingly bounced just wide. Had to be taken off shortly after the break with what looked like a twisted ankle.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Novo (On for Boyd): - Becoming an extremely useful sub. Dare I say, our very own Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? Cracking strike for the second goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Smith: - Changed the tactics and the personnel around and will be pleased with the outcome. You really can’t do better than played one, won one and conceded none.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
It’s the start that we were all looking for and hopefully this bodes well for the forthcoming season. We have a strong squad with a good manager and can rightfully expect a lot more than what we have been used to over the last while.
WATP
Baz.
This was a big day of firsts for the club. We had the 1st game of the season, the 1st start for De Marcus Beasley, the 1st clean sheet of the campaign, the first win over Inverness for far too long, but it was also a very special 1st for the creator of Rangersmedia, this was the 1st time he has been able to witness the might that is Glasgow Rangers on the soil of which the club was built and in doing so has been able to watch the game with many of the members who frequent, and make RM the special place that it is. So here’s to you CanadaReady :beer: and if the Rangers are going to get results like this when your in town then you may never be allowed to leave!!
Smith sent out a side with two changes, to what had looked his settled side, replacing the injured JCD with Beasley and also Adam for Thomson. This also signalled the referral back to a 4-3-3 from what looked like the preferred 4-4-2, but the changes worked and for decent spells of the game we looked solid, compact and creative. Some might say that its only Inverness but they are a hard nut to crack and a very tough, especially on recent games there, side to bring points away from. So for a season’s opener and a long round trip, all in all it has been a dam good day.
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - Looked a touch nervy at a couple of early corners, but settled into a game that saw him take very little part. One game, one clean sheet.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Straight back into action after his midweek walk of shame, had a few flurries forward but looked to have been asked to hold a slightly more defensive role than normal. Like the rest of the defence though, had little to cause him problems.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Cuellar: - Looking better and better each time I see him. He has this uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time when he is needed. He got his 1st glimpse of the Scottish “long ball” tactics and he just cruised through the game.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Weir: - He’s waited for a while, but has now got someone beside him that he can truly call a partner. The two central defenders both look composed and easy and dealt with the few challenges that came their way. Will have tougher days, but you can only play against what’s in front of you.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Papac: - Once again, defensively sound. Covered in well and guarded his flank. He is certainly a Mr reliable in that department, but has to offer slightly more support to his left sided attacker.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hemdani: - Looked a lot more comfortable player against the lack of midfield pace in the Caley ranks than he did in midweek, but still looks a wee bit short in form. He kept things neat and tidy though which really is his forte.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Bazza: - Played in, what he claims, is his more favoured forward role. He has lived with the monkey of that twenty-goal season on his back for too long now, maybe this is the season that he proves that he is capable of running a midfield and banging in some goals to boot. Excellent display and show of intent from the captain.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM Two cracking goals to start the campaign!)
Thommo: - Back from injury and showed a real hunger to be involved in the play. Tackled hard, tracked back but also managed to push forward and help the attack. It was a good showing and a more confident showing by the man that has taken a few months to settle.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
McCulloch: - Praise goes to the big man for his work rate and his versatility, as he was once more shifted position just after the break. Looked more comfortable as the lone striker and set up Nacho beautifully for the second goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Beasley: - The first competitive sighting of the talented American and he showed a little of what he is all about today. Some good pace that scared the life out of the Caley defence, who then decided to revert to just hacking him down at any opportunity. He managed to whip in some nice crosses and was also seen digging into a couple of challenges in midfield.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Boyd: - Seems desperate to answer his critics, and nearly did with a shot that deflected onto the bar and agonisingly bounced just wide. Had to be taken off shortly after the break with what looked like a twisted ankle.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
Novo (On for Boyd): - Becoming an extremely useful sub. Dare I say, our very own Ole Gunnar Solskjaer? Cracking strike for the second goal.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Smith: - Changed the tactics and the personnel around and will be pleased with the outcome. You really can’t do better than played one, won one and conceded none.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
It’s the start that we were all looking for and hopefully this bodes well for the forthcoming season. We have a strong squad with a good manager and can rightfully expect a lot more than what we have been used to over the last while.
WATP
Baz.
posted by RangersMedia @ 8:02 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home