The Rangers vs Accies - October 6th

[stepek 4 tellys]

He was in the squad and then after news of the Celtic score came through he was left out. He was absolutely livid as his family were all up for the game. He was as baffled as us as to thinking behind that decision.

[yummy fur]

22 minutes ago, stepek 4 tellys said:

He was in the squad and then after news of the Celtic score came through he was left out. He was absolutely livid as his family were all up for the game. He was as baffled as us as to thinking behind that decision.

Disappointing as it must have been for him to be left out today I would suggest that rather than the Celtic score it was probably more to do with a failure to look like even a semi-competent striker at any point so far this season or reach anywhere near the fitness level required of a professional footballer.

As for the game it was predictably depressing. After setting up for a nil nil draw at Paisley a fortnight ago Rice was hardly going to send out a free flowing Accies team with attacking intent at Ibrox, however the tactic of giving the opposition all the ball they want may have worked against a toothless St Mirren team but it was never going to work against an in-form confident Rangers side. Add in to the mix a failure to press at any point, zero aggression and little interest from the first minute then the only plus point (possibly other than McMann almost scraping pass marks) was keeping it to 5.

The loss of McGowan to injury was a big loss especially as he is our only real option at right back. Being charitable you could say that's unfortunate but if we are going to apply the same critical scrutiny to Rice as the previous manager then you could question why he has built a squad with 6 (maybe 7) centre backs but only 1 right back. Other decisions were strange too such as why change from a back 4 which has performed well in recent weeks to a back 5, why bring Beck in from the start when he has shown nothing to earn that trust, how did Oakley last 90 minutes while our best lone striker option sat on the bench etc...……..

Results elsewhere on Saturday mean that we go into the International break with some hope. Rice has done well to pick up points in games where previously we would have come away with nothing but on the other hand the style and watchability of the football this season has went backwards from what was already a very low standard under Canning.

[Scotty Tunbridge]

51 minutes ago, stepek 4 tellys said:

He was in the squad and then after news of the Celtic score came through he was left out. He was absolutely livid as his family were all up for the game. He was as baffled as us as to thinking behind that decision.

File this under things that never happened for me. He was abysmal against Livi and will have rightly been left out because of that and to accommodate going to 1 up top which he will never be able to do.

1 minute ago, yummy fur said:

the style and watchability of the football this season has went backwards from what was already a very low standard under Canning.

That was actually a pretty reasonable post from you until you spat out this absolute drivel.

[stepek 4 tellys]

It never happened? Ok, I'm sure in the days to come other fans( the ones who actually went to support the team) will back up my story.

[8MileBU]

That'll do nicely. Some lovely finishes today especially from the ever young Defoe but special mention for Borna's delightful free-kick. That first and second from Defoe were just brilliant.
A goal every 39 minutes in the league for Defoe. Just unbelievable from him this season.

Special mention for Greg Stewart’s pass for Defoe’s first goal. And that finish...[emoji122][emoji122][emoji122]

[TavTastic]

18 minutes ago, 8MileBU said:

Special mention for Greg Stewart’s pass for Defoe’s first goal. And that finish...

 

Stewart put in another strong performance. In home league games he should be our first choice on the wing until Kent gets back and makes our selection headache even harder.

[8MileBU]

Stewart put in another strong performance. In home league games he should be our first choice on the wing until Kent gets back and makes our selection headache even harder.

Agreed, Stewart has impressed recently and he’s certainly putting together a strong case to keep his spot in the team.

On a similar note, yet another quality performance from Barisic.

[Ye Olde Hamiltonian]

As soon as I saw that team I knew what was coming and Canning has been slated for less for that.

A game where you need an outlet from the constant pressure so what does Rice do...only plays the one striker we have who can't hold the ball up and this Steve Davies stuff perhaps could have some truth in it as why would you have a guy doing the media build up for the game  and then have him nowhere near the pitch?

I would rather do what Livvy did at I Ibrox a few weeks ago and  have a go as you are going to get beat anyway and the Rangers central defence don't like it up them as Dykes has proved,so at least give them something they have to work for.

That game was lost as soon as Livvy beat Celtic and it is the manner of the defeat which is a disgrace allowing a glorified training session which wouldn't have happened under Alex Neil who would have made them fight for the three points rather than that pathetic surrender.