AJF

If it is, it’ll just be to appease Sky. Just make a sensible early decision

Seems to be requesting more time for ground staff to do more work. But the lack of bounce here doesn’t look promising

Aye, given that Dundee contacted the SPFL it seems as though they probably aren’t confident of it going ahead.

You don't need to be particularly clued up to appreciate that Aberdeen are shite.

Hard to predict what the line up will be for what will likely be a tough match. A lot will likely depend on players like Cantwell, McCausland and Sterling being fit and available. I'd hope after getting a few minutes last night Cantwell will come into contention for a start which might allow Lawrence a bit of a rest. Despite playing relatively well of late, he was one of those that seemed pretty leggy. Hopefully we see Ridvan continue at left back, but I just have a sneaking suspicion that he might rotate Barisic in. If he does, he cannot have a calamitous half like he did at Rugby Park.

I think that’s the main issue. When Clement first came in you could overlook Dessers lack of cutting edge to an extent because Sima was scoring well (I think he was actually joint top league goal scorer at the time of his injury). But now he isn’t available and Silva isn’t that type of player that will replace his goals, it becomes really apparent.

I really don’t think that’ll be the case. If you consider the car crash of a side he took over when he came in and how far behind Celtic we were, he has brought us on leaps and bounds. If we don’t win the league I anticipate he will still retain the support of the vast majority of fans. It’s maybe not appreciated how well he is regarded by our fan base. I’m not sure why you’d be compelled to comment on that, but I was at the game

Meh. Not good enough on the night without playing particularly bad. Benfica just better than us. Thought both defences were very good in the first half. Souttar and Tavernier playing really well. Second half though, we couldn’t really create anything and it broke down in the final third time and time again. Don’t want to labour the point too often but it was a huge risk to stick with Dessers as the only fit striker in the January window. We also looked dead on our feet in the second half. There was a point around the hour mark where Diomande could barely move yet we kept giving him the ball and all it resulted in was him playing a safe pass back to our centre halves as he couldn’t turn on the ball. Joao Neves is ridiculously good for such a young player. He was everywhere tonight picking up loose ball after loose ball. Still, a European campaign we need to consider a success given our start to the season and no great shame with such a narrow defeat over 2 legs to a decent side. Those on here that seem desperate for the fans to turn on Clement will be waiting quite a while I think. Excellent reception at the end.

Aye, I have the same concerns. Although it was interesting to hear Clement's comments yesterday where he said that dealing with injuries was a strength of this team. While that may be the case under his management thus far, it'll only last so long and we really need to get to the bottom of why we pick up so many knocks and injuries. He said when he arrived that they had identified the issue (I'm assuming it was to do with training) but since then we haven't really seen any improvement.

Whatever the reasoning is for the 50/50 split, the fact that there is one simply backs up my earlier claim that Rangers have no say over what the split is. That was laughed at, with the inference made that the SFA would simply just grant Rangers whatever we wanted. So I thought it apt to poke fun at the tooth fairy reference.

As I suspected, 50/50 split confirmed. The tooth fairy exists after all.

Probably, but I think you get bonus coefficient points for qualifying for the Champions League, so it would only be beneficial if the points picked up in the Europa League exceed the CL bonus points. I am not sure how that will be impacted with the new European competition formats from next season though.

Clement mentioned Cantwell will be back in the squad but not fit enough to start yet. McCausland will be a late call to see if he is involved with Sterling definitely missing out after their knocks on Wednesday. Means we don't really have much choice other than to go with Silva on the left, Dessers through the middle and Matondo on the right if McCausland doesn't make it. Lundstram, Diomande and Lawrence seems like it'll be his preferred midfield three with the same back 4 as the last 2 games. Reckon we will need another big performance from Butland to get through.

I see Sutton is trying to continue his feud with Cantwell with another unprovoked jibe at him Hopefully Cantwell will ignore it like last time. He just can’t help himself.

I think you are reaching here. If the SFA believe a side will be able to fill half of Hampden then it would matter not one jot whether Rangers want more or not. It would be split 50/50. You are framing this as if Rangers just go to the SFA and demand more than 50% and it is automatically given. Nonsense. Just because Rangers can fill more than 50% does not mean the SFA believe they are entitled to it and any decision will be based on similar reasons that your own club confirmed they received as the reasoning for the LC final allocation.

I’ve genuinely no idea what you are getting at here. Rangers have no say on what allocation an opponent will get. Each team will make their respective applications for how many tickets they’d like and the SFA then decide the split. Thats exactly what happened at the league cup final against you. Aberdeen released a statement saying they made proposals to the SFA but ultimately they rejected them on the basis of prior ticket sales and security issues.

Yes?

It’s not up to Rangers what allocation Hearts get, it’s entirely the decision of the SFA. The league cup semi-final was very disadvantageous to Hearts fans. I think we discussed it at the time (or maybe it was the LC final against you), it’s hard to sell the tickets in tranches then hand them back due to the way the concourses and entryways are set up. I think the SFA want to avoid opposing sides using the same turnstiles and stairways so it means there are only a few natural segregation points at Hampden. However, I suspect a 50/50 split will be decided for this one.

Lundstram please. Arguably our POTY thus far and seems to have really stepped up under Clement.

Well, I don’t think that’s really the issue. From what I can see, back in 2019 all 42 member clubs were contacted by the BBC and asked how they’d vote regarding strict liability and only 3 of the 42 clubs indicated they’d be in favour of it. The overwhelming majority of these clubs won’t have Rangers visiting them (unless they draw them in a cup competition) so I don’t think you can suggest that clubs are voting against it because they’d get in trouble for the actions of Rangers fans.

I’m pretty sure the last time it went to a vote (or an indicative vote) it was a majority of clubs that went against it.

I don’t think you’ll find me disagreeing with you. But I kinda covered this earlier. Until clubs vote for strict liability then the SFA are pretty helpless to do anything. Then in terms of identifying people it becomes a bit of a nightmare unless they are huckled and identified by police at the match.

Don’t worry I don’t take it personally. I appreciate why people feel that way.

It happens at all clubs. Rangers evidently take action and ban fans, to suggest otherwise is wrong, but identifying everyone that does something wrong is another matter. Missiles were thrown at Rangers players last night while Shankland had a corkscrew lobbed at him and I don’t recall fans being banned. This isn’t to instigate whataboutery, but to demonstrate It’s not easy to identify people, especially in an away crowd unless the police spot them and huckle them out.

Sad and frustrating it’s got to this stage. Away days with your mates is already a thing of the past for matches at Celtic Park, Tynecastle and St Mirren to an extent, now add ER to that list. I’m in no way saying Hibs are not entitled to reduce the allocation nor am I defending any actions by supporters, it’s just a sorry state we’ve got to.