Going into yesterday’s meeting
with bottom-feeding Livingston was the perfect
water for which Stuart McCall could dip his Rangers-managing toes in.
with bottom-feeding Livingston was the perfect
water for which Stuart McCall could dip his Rangers-managing toes in.
Five points adrift thanks to
financial mismanagement, Livvie are rock-bottom of the Championship and relegation
certainties. While Rangers’ form has been something below feeble, taking on the
worst team in the league as life began again at Ibrox for McCall was about as
good as it could possibly be.
financial mismanagement, Livvie are rock-bottom of the Championship and relegation
certainties. While Rangers’ form has been something below feeble, taking on the
worst team in the league as life began again at Ibrox for McCall was about as
good as it could possibly be.
And yet, despite that bright
start, after fifteen minutes it was clear the problems from the 40+ month-long
McCoist/McDowall era rot at the very core of this Rangers squad and continue to
blight it endlessly.
start, after fifteen minutes it was clear the problems from the 40+ month-long
McCoist/McDowall era rot at the very core of this Rangers squad and continue to
blight it endlessly.
The team news itself was
certainly cause for some alarm. While there was some good news in the return of
McGregor to his natural position of centre-back due to the return of Sebastien
Faure to right back, and the first full debut to promising youngster Tom Walsh,
there were substantial negatives too;
certainly cause for some alarm. While there was some good news in the return of
McGregor to his natural position of centre-back due to the return of Sebastien
Faure to right back, and the first full debut to promising youngster Tom Walsh,
there were substantial negatives too;
The persistent presence of Lee
McCulloch at the back, the continuing Hutton in midfield (whose form has gone
south), and Kenny Miller up front who, despite his very fine season with
Vancouver Whitecaps last year appears to have run out of steam completely and
has been a failure third time around at Ibrox.
McCulloch at the back, the continuing Hutton in midfield (whose form has gone
south), and Kenny Miller up front who, despite his very fine season with
Vancouver Whitecaps last year appears to have run out of steam completely and
has been a failure third time around at Ibrox.
With a bit of a mish-mash in
midfield where it was unclear if Rangers were playing a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1, the
signs were not great before kick off, but hopes were that McCall could
invigorate this ailing squad.
midfield where it was unclear if Rangers were playing a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1, the
signs were not great before kick off, but hopes were that McCall could
invigorate this ailing squad.
And for fifteen minutes, they did
indeed look a totally different side – filled with energy, aggression, purpose,
and even a bit of half-decent football. Unfortunately following Vuckic’s very
fine goal, the performance began to slide just slightly, before that fifteen
minute mark saw it just bottom out totally.
indeed look a totally different side – filled with energy, aggression, purpose,
and even a bit of half-decent football. Unfortunately following Vuckic’s very
fine goal, the performance began to slide just slightly, before that fifteen
minute mark saw it just bottom out totally.
For the next 75 it was ‘the same
old Rangers’ and Livingston were compact, organised,
and to quote Tom Miller, “technically excellent”. Defensively Rangers were a
mess, with Wallace exposed time and time again, and McCulloch managed to
concede the ball three times in succession. And that was after he had already
gifted the visitors the equaliser. And in midfield…there was no midfield. Nicky
Law was a ghost after 15 minutes, Hutton barely touched the ball, and the only
bright side was some decent forages in attack from Vuckic, Walsh, and Wallace.
old Rangers’ and Livingston were compact, organised,
and to quote Tom Miller, “technically excellent”. Defensively Rangers were a
mess, with Wallace exposed time and time again, and McCulloch managed to
concede the ball three times in succession. And that was after he had already
gifted the visitors the equaliser. And in midfield…there was no midfield. Nicky
Law was a ghost after 15 minutes, Hutton barely touched the ball, and the only
bright side was some decent forages in attack from Vuckic, Walsh, and Wallace.
This match has to go down as
McCall’s trial run, his chance to truly see what the main first team would
offer. We love this man, and we want him to succeed. He is as good a soul in
football as you will meet, and as managers go Rangers could, and have done much
worse.
McCall’s trial run, his chance to truly see what the main first team would
offer. We love this man, and we want him to succeed. He is as good a soul in
football as you will meet, and as managers go Rangers could, and have done much
worse.
But goodness only knows why he
took Vuckic off and not Miller on 72, and only took Miller off on 81 to replace
him with the absolutely hopeless Kris Boyd.
took Vuckic off and not Miller on 72, and only took Miller off on 81 to replace
him with the absolutely hopeless Kris Boyd.
Changes have to be afoot for the
visit of Alloa on Tuesday. McCall has seen first-hand what he has to work with,
he has two or three days to prepare a better team for midweek. If McCulloch
retains his place after yet another horrible display yesterday, it borderline
certainly proves this to be true, and the likes of Miller and Boyd should be
nowhere near the first-team squad now.
visit of Alloa on Tuesday. McCall has seen first-hand what he has to work with,
he has two or three days to prepare a better team for midweek. If McCulloch
retains his place after yet another horrible display yesterday, it borderline
certainly proves this to be true, and the likes of Miller and Boyd should be
nowhere near the first-team squad now.
McCall has some big changes to
make, if he wants to get this team promoted, and playing the dross simply will
not cut it.
make, if he wants to get this team promoted, and playing the dross simply will
not cut it.
Here is hoping he has learned a
lot from yesterday, and has some idea of who to ditch, and who to bring in.
lot from yesterday, and has some idea of who to ditch, and who to bring in.
Promotion depends on it.
Bring in Ryan Hardie to partner Nicky Clark. Simple. Done.
Miller – Boyd to the Job Centre.
Bring in Gallacher and play Templeton and Siels
Got to change the first team and give some players who haven't been playing a chance.Templeton,Shiels ect.You can not play guys in first team who simply aren't doing it.McCulloch.Hutton.Miller.Boyd.Daly.Black all must go.
Vukic was and IS injured!……………….God help us now ! .
The team at the moment requires RADICAL change. Tinkering is not the answer. We are not going to be promoted – let's accept that and move on. In the remaining games we must not lose the opportunity to give experience to young players.
The Rangers defence, marshalled by McCulloch, drops too deep and invites the opposition into threatening areas. Yesterday was a classic example. Centre backs feel threatened by lack of pace, don't hold a high enough line, the midfield area opens up and the opposition have space to play. This has been the case for most of the season. Lee McCulloch lacks positional awareness. He is and always has been a stopgap. the situation is not helped by an inexperienced goalkeeper who lacks status. That is not implied as a criticism of the young man.
Radical change with an eye to the future. Bell in. Our best option for central defence is Faure and Mohsni (if he can get back to basics) as they at least provide some pace. Have also noticed Faure trying to organise on the few occasions he has played centre back.
Wallace as captain, responsibility might improve his contribution defensively. Problem area of right back: Aird has the attributes and is worth a gamble. Ashley Cole and Leyton Baines were both wingers prior to conversion. Midfield: real lack of experience here, but we should persist with Murdoch and another?, McCall can surely have in input here. Law and Vucick are attacking players and both lack a midfielder ethos. Vucick up front supported by any three from Templeton, Gallagher, Walsh and Law.
Not as radical as I would like but at the moment we are restricted. Perhaps there are other young players who can be introduced when the time is right. One last thought, if these youngsters are played consistently they will improve, but they will also make mistakes. We must encourage them whatever.' When the sound of the battle is over, we stand shoulder to shoulder'.
I'm of the same opinion as you on Aird, think with the right coaching he could be a very good right back.
Whilst I agree it is far too early to judge McCall and as everybody can see week in week out the total lack of quality on the park courtesy of Super Ally I would however point out the usual tactical flaws which everybody can see namely playing two wide men to feed balls into the box to two smallish strikers in Miller & Clark s a non starter.Each week the midfield is swamped and overrun because we have an obsession with playing wide men. Concentrate in bulking up the middle of the park with players instead of wasting our time providing crosses which given the size of the strikers yesterday is a wate of time.
Yes, introduce Shiels as a link man now that Vukic is out, that is what is required to help the midfield.
Couldn't disagree more…what you're referring to is the big high ball looking for the likes of Daly (possibly the worst ever I have had the misfortune to see pull on the blue jersey) but not all crosses from wide men are high balls…a lot has to be said for breaking on the wings and getting the ball in for the likes of Nicky Clark to be running onto. We need attacking midfielders, not the likes of Hutton sitting in front of the back 4 and passing everything sideways – a classic sign of no confidence.
The midfield is useless ( as is the defence ) . I'd like to see Wallace play midfield with Smith in at left back . Maybe McCulloch could still play a part in the holding role , or even at centre forward . He certainly should never be played at centre half again , where he's a total disaster .
There is a lot of panic on this site .McCall has had ONE game after TWO training sessions, did you all really expect radical changes ? For someone to suggest a centre back pairing of Faure and Mohsni is laughable. Faure is filling in okay at right back but is never a centre back and Mohsni should never play for us again as he has cost us both equalisers against Falkirk and QOS and is awful.McGregor has been the best centre back all season and does not lack pace.In midfield we are constantly outnumbered so whoever plays there gets passed around .We should have stuck with Hutton and Murdoch as Law has no defensive awareness.Up front all 4 strikers have been crap although Clark is at least putting effort in.Maybe , if we are playing a deep lying striker we should try Shiels as this is his natural position and lets give Temps a run to see if he can get some creativity into the side.But the big thing is McCall will need time .
You suggest there is a lot of panic on the site then go on to state that a player should never play again after 2 errors. Mohsni can do a job if coached to get back to basics. May I suggest he is preferable to McCulloch. McGreggor is a trier but is a very limited footballer. What is laughable is to suggest that Faure is filling in at right back but is never a centre back. Developed from the Lyon academy and represented France at several age levels at centre back. You are supporting the 'centre back at right back' option that has plagued us for years. He had never been given a run of games in that position by the two previous 'coaches'. Clark's effort can be matched by many thousands in the stands. Probably the slowest forward ever to play for Rangers. Maybe we can try Shields? Maybe we can then try Dally again? Maybe Boyd. As you point out they are all deficient – including Shields, who's reputation grows as he sits on the bench. I'm afraid McColl does not have a great deal of time and we are heading for another opportunity lost to develop young players till the end of the season. Hearts adopted that strategy prior to relegation and are now reaping the benefits.
McCall needs time to sort the mess and maybe this season is a lost cause. Would Rangers beat Motherwell or St Mirren? Not likely, unless there is the carrot of a hefty win bonus, which is all that seems to motivate this crop of underachieving, overpaid crybabies. McCall has a tough job on his hands.
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