The desperately needed changes McCall has to make
After the atrocity on Saturday at
Ibrox for Stuart McCall’s highly-anticipated Rangers’ managerial debut, it is
safe to say certain hopes have been a tad dashed.
Ibrox for Stuart McCall’s highly-anticipated Rangers’ managerial debut, it is
safe to say certain hopes have been a tad dashed.
No one expected a quick fix
certainly, but the sight of that teamsheet filled fans with a cold dread. The
likes of McCulloch, Miller, Hutton and Law starting served as a reminder of the
chilling horror of what remains from the diabolical McCoist regime.
certainly, but the sight of that teamsheet filled fans with a cold dread. The
likes of McCulloch, Miller, Hutton and Law starting served as a reminder of the
chilling horror of what remains from the diabolical McCoist regime.
Tonight, the final game in hand
visits us in the form of former bogey team Alloa. Interim coach Kenny
McDowall’s one achievement was finally managing to beat them, which pretty much
sums up his period as gaffer, and McCall knows that despite their lowly
position they will be every inch the barrier they usually are.
visits us in the form of former bogey team Alloa. Interim coach Kenny
McDowall’s one achievement was finally managing to beat them, which pretty much
sums up his period as gaffer, and McCall knows that despite their lowly
position they will be every inch the barrier they usually are.
If bottom side Livingston can outplay
Rangers at Ibrox, anyone can.
Rangers at Ibrox, anyone can.
The team sheet tonight is
absolutely critical. McCall hopefully used Livingston
as the trial – to give the normal core of the team the chance to prove
themselves. They failed miserably.
absolutely critical. McCall hopefully used Livingston
as the trial – to give the normal core of the team the chance to prove
themselves. They failed miserably.
He now knows drastic changes are
desperately needed in the first XI, as if he did not already – hopefully my last entry is proven false, the information incorrect and Lee McCulloch does not start, because he has started to
become the villain on the pitch in many fans’ eyes. He is a passenger, and has
been for a long time, contributing zero on the pitch and supporters now point
to his entrance in the Hall of Fame as utterly undermining its gravity.
desperately needed in the first XI, as if he did not already – hopefully my last entry is proven false, the information incorrect and Lee McCulloch does not start, because he has started to
become the villain on the pitch in many fans’ eyes. He is a passenger, and has
been for a long time, contributing zero on the pitch and supporters now point
to his entrance in the Hall of Fame as utterly undermining its gravity.
Other sweeping changes are
painfully required too. Miller, Boyd, and Hutton’s time at Ibrox is surely up,
and their deals will presumably not be renewed – they must not feature even on
the bench tonight.
painfully required too. Miller, Boyd, and Hutton’s time at Ibrox is surely up,
and their deals will presumably not be renewed – they must not feature even on
the bench tonight.
And sadly Nicky Law was every
inch the ghost under McCall as he has been for the past two managers, so do not
be shocked if he does not start.
inch the ghost under McCall as he has been for the past two managers, so do not
be shocked if he does not start.
Rangers’ new manager has drastic
alterations to make. Bell is set to return in goal (albeit Lee
Robinson is one of the few to actually do not badly in recent weeks), but RB is
a problem with both Foster and Faure out injured, leaving youngster Sinnamon as the only other ‘proper’ option while central defence could
be McGregor and Zaliukas, given the recent revelation that Streete, Mbubu (and the other three from Newcastle) will probably not feature again for Rangers.
alterations to make. Bell is set to return in goal (albeit Lee
Robinson is one of the few to actually do not badly in recent weeks), but RB is
a problem with both Foster and Faure out injured, leaving youngster Sinnamon as the only other ‘proper’ option while central defence could
be McGregor and Zaliukas, given the recent revelation that Streete, Mbubu (and the other three from Newcastle) will probably not feature again for Rangers.
Gasparotto could be recalled from his loan at Airdrieonians which would be a
popular decision and that would leave defence as McGregor, Gasparotto,
Zaliukas, Wallace. Mohsni is another who could make an appearance here. But in
all likelihood there is next-to-no chance McCulloch will not start.
popular decision and that would leave defence as McGregor, Gasparotto,
Zaliukas, Wallace. Mohsni is another who could make an appearance here. But in
all likelihood there is next-to-no chance McCulloch will not start.
In midfield Murdoch deserves a
recall, and the likes of McKay (on-loan at Raith), Templeton, Aird, Walsh and
Crawford have earned a bit of a chance, especially given Vuckic is out for at
least a week. Gallagher is another to have been cruelly tossed aside.
recall, and the likes of McKay (on-loan at Raith), Templeton, Aird, Walsh and
Crawford have earned a bit of a chance, especially given Vuckic is out for at
least a week. Gallagher is another to have been cruelly tossed aside.
Up front Clark
needs a partner, and that could well be Gallagher.
needs a partner, and that could well be Gallagher.
It is not even that easy to pick
a half-decent side from the squad we currently have, the conjecture of
recalling loans only complicates things and it is unclear if the loan contracts have
that clause included in them. The injuries to Faure, Foster, Vuckic et al
further convolute things so I have to say Mr McCall, you have a tough selection
ahead of you.
a half-decent side from the squad we currently have, the conjecture of
recalling loans only complicates things and it is unclear if the loan contracts have
that clause included in them. The injuries to Faure, Foster, Vuckic et al
further convolute things so I have to say Mr McCall, you have a tough selection
ahead of you.
The manager himself says there
will be changes, but over weeks rather than days.
“We will change personnel over the next
few weeks. I need to see what the guys look like so most of the squad will get
a game. That’s not about giving someone a game just for the sake of it. There
might be a couple of players who will feel they merit a chance when they’ve not
had one, so how can I judge them if I don’t see them? Until we get the right
formula and see players deserving a jersey, I will make changes. We’ve got a
couple of injuries for tomorrow night so that will be the case already. We’re
evaluating all the time in training and games but we have to do it quickly. We
have to get back up to a position where we can win football matches.”
few weeks. I need to see what the guys look like so most of the squad will get
a game. That’s not about giving someone a game just for the sake of it. There
might be a couple of players who will feel they merit a chance when they’ve not
had one, so how can I judge them if I don’t see them? Until we get the right
formula and see players deserving a jersey, I will make changes. We’ve got a
couple of injuries for tomorrow night so that will be the case already. We’re
evaluating all the time in training and games but we have to do it quickly. We
have to get back up to a position where we can win football matches.”
Truthfully it has to start
tonight.
tonight.
And the big changes are critical,
whatever they are, and it is up to you to deliver.
whatever they are, and it is up to you to deliver.
That is why they pay you the big
bucks.
bucks.