Rangers 1 vs. Crvena Zvezda 0 Aug 11th 2007
S’NACH’ED AT THE DEATH
The last minute had just notched up on the clock, the final effort had just been missed as Bazza rippled the side netting and the stadium was slowly emptying after a tactical nil nil battle had just unfolded in front of our eyes, BUT NO, it wasn’t over yet, the ball came chipped through the midfield, Cousin connected with a sublime flick on, right into the path of the on darting Nacho Novo who meticulously fired the ball round the on rushing keeper into the bottom corner of the net! Cue the instant bedlam around the stadium as Nacho pumped the air in unison with Ally and Walter who had rushed from the dugout. The elation flowed and an ok European night had just been transformed into a brilliant one.
Walter had certainly taken the cautious approach, presumably wary of the away goal, and had set us up in a 4-1-4-1 formation in the hope of catching them with the pace of Beasley and JCD. We were up against a very well drilled and also very physical Red Star side that were set up in the exact same way as ourselves. In fact the whole night seemed to be organised into a “nullifying each other out” strategy. For Red Star they looked to have and must have been sure they had gone away with a job well done until the superb sub of the moment decided to throw a spanner into the works.
I know we have only done half a job and that it will be a very tough time in Belgrade, but we’ve just got to wallow in a wee bit of smugness after what turned out to be a very good night!
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - Would have been extremely happy to see the number of shots going flying over the bar from over 30 yards out with little to no pressure on him for the entire match. Had one heart in mouth moment as a cracking volley rippled the top of the net.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Had his hands full with his opponent tonight and was pinned back for a lot of the first half. Seemed to get to grips a bit more in the second and managed a few forays down the line. Defensively though he has extremely sound.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Cuellar: - Once more he proved to be a real quality buy for us as time after time he nicked possession, tackled strongly and won nearly everything gin the air. He even found the time to flick the ball back over his head to clear the on rushing attacker. So composed and cool at the back.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM Fantastic defensive display again)
Weir: - Had to keep an eye on his left back a wee bit but used his experience to coax him through the game. Ever the professional in his own play also, as our back two, once more, looked impenetrable.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Broadfoot: - After fifteen minutes I was very worried about our left hand side, as they seemed to sense the nervousness that Broadfoot showed. He did extremely well to pull himself together though and came through the match with a fairly decent performance.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Hemdani: - Probably his best performance of the season so far. Kept possession well, read the game and cut out numerous attacks from Red Star. He hardly missed a pass, and in Europe that is invaluable.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
McCulloch: - Strong and physical display that more than matched his opponent. His work rate tonight was excellent and he must have covered more ground than any other player. Maybe he doesn’t have a great attacking flair, but he showed what he is all about tonight. Never lost a header either.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Bazza: - As others excelled around him he was fairly quiet in comparison. I’m not sure if he was targeted but he was certainly marked out of the game until near the end when he managed a good run and shot in the box.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Thommo: - The best work horse of our midfield by a long way. He never shirks a tackle and doesn’t mind taking them either. His range of passing is very good too. He is starting to show where the two million pounds went.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Beasley: - It was just too physical a game out there tonight, not one that suits his style at all. The game was very stop start and he needs it flowing in order to get in behind defences. Had one good run that cut inside but that was about the height of it.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
JCD: - Worked his socks off as the lone front man and came in for some nasty treatment. I must admit I thought he was going to clock someone at a stage, but the Gaelic temperament stayed down. Had some very good direct running but really needed some extra help.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Novo (On for Beasley): - What can I say, the wee man is just priceless and his super sub feats are mounting up all the time. He took his goal tremendously as well!!
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Cousin (On for Boyd): - Impressed again from the bench and showed a willingness to have a go for goal. Has all the attributes, one of which is height, which he used very well to set up Bazza and then Novo.
Rmed Verdict: -
Smith: - Did he play too cautious and negative? Or did his European style play work out just perfect? Whatever the answer, his substitutions worked a treat and his side are in a good position to qualify.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
These nights bring an amazing feel good factor with them which are unbeatable, unless of course Spartak to us a very big favour tomorrow night as well!!!
WATP
Baz.
The last minute had just notched up on the clock, the final effort had just been missed as Bazza rippled the side netting and the stadium was slowly emptying after a tactical nil nil battle had just unfolded in front of our eyes, BUT NO, it wasn’t over yet, the ball came chipped through the midfield, Cousin connected with a sublime flick on, right into the path of the on darting Nacho Novo who meticulously fired the ball round the on rushing keeper into the bottom corner of the net! Cue the instant bedlam around the stadium as Nacho pumped the air in unison with Ally and Walter who had rushed from the dugout. The elation flowed and an ok European night had just been transformed into a brilliant one.
Walter had certainly taken the cautious approach, presumably wary of the away goal, and had set us up in a 4-1-4-1 formation in the hope of catching them with the pace of Beasley and JCD. We were up against a very well drilled and also very physical Red Star side that were set up in the exact same way as ourselves. In fact the whole night seemed to be organised into a “nullifying each other out” strategy. For Red Star they looked to have and must have been sure they had gone away with a job well done until the superb sub of the moment decided to throw a spanner into the works.
I know we have only done half a job and that it will be a very tough time in Belgrade, but we’ve just got to wallow in a wee bit of smugness after what turned out to be a very good night!
Today’s team: -
McGregor: - Would have been extremely happy to see the number of shots going flying over the bar from over 30 yards out with little to no pressure on him for the entire match. Had one heart in mouth moment as a cracking volley rippled the top of the net.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Hutton: - Had his hands full with his opponent tonight and was pinned back for a lot of the first half. Seemed to get to grips a bit more in the second and managed a few forays down the line. Defensively though he has extremely sound.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Cuellar: - Once more he proved to be a real quality buy for us as time after time he nicked possession, tackled strongly and won nearly everything gin the air. He even found the time to flick the ball back over his head to clear the on rushing attacker. So composed and cool at the back.
Rmed Verdict: - 9 (MOTM Fantastic defensive display again)
Weir: - Had to keep an eye on his left back a wee bit but used his experience to coax him through the game. Ever the professional in his own play also, as our back two, once more, looked impenetrable.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Broadfoot: - After fifteen minutes I was very worried about our left hand side, as they seemed to sense the nervousness that Broadfoot showed. He did extremely well to pull himself together though and came through the match with a fairly decent performance.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Hemdani: - Probably his best performance of the season so far. Kept possession well, read the game and cut out numerous attacks from Red Star. He hardly missed a pass, and in Europe that is invaluable.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
McCulloch: - Strong and physical display that more than matched his opponent. His work rate tonight was excellent and he must have covered more ground than any other player. Maybe he doesn’t have a great attacking flair, but he showed what he is all about tonight. Never lost a header either.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Bazza: - As others excelled around him he was fairly quiet in comparison. I’m not sure if he was targeted but he was certainly marked out of the game until near the end when he managed a good run and shot in the box.
Rmed Verdict: - 6
Thommo: - The best work horse of our midfield by a long way. He never shirks a tackle and doesn’t mind taking them either. His range of passing is very good too. He is starting to show where the two million pounds went.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
Beasley: - It was just too physical a game out there tonight, not one that suits his style at all. The game was very stop start and he needs it flowing in order to get in behind defences. Had one good run that cut inside but that was about the height of it.
Rmed Verdict: - 5
JCD: - Worked his socks off as the lone front man and came in for some nasty treatment. I must admit I thought he was going to clock someone at a stage, but the Gaelic temperament stayed down. Had some very good direct running but really needed some extra help.
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Novo (On for Beasley): - What can I say, the wee man is just priceless and his super sub feats are mounting up all the time. He took his goal tremendously as well!!
Rmed Verdict: - 7
Cousin (On for Boyd): - Impressed again from the bench and showed a willingness to have a go for goal. Has all the attributes, one of which is height, which he used very well to set up Bazza and then Novo.
Rmed Verdict: -
Smith: - Did he play too cautious and negative? Or did his European style play work out just perfect? Whatever the answer, his substitutions worked a treat and his side are in a good position to qualify.
Rmed Verdict: - 8
These nights bring an amazing feel good factor with them which are unbeatable, unless of course Spartak to us a very big favour tomorrow night as well!!!
WATP
Baz.
posted by RangersMedia @ 3:17 PM
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