After what has felt like a bit of a stuttering pre-season, the last two performances and results have seen Pedro’s Rangers Regime build up a keenly-awaited head of steam.
While no one would pretend the job is complete, and in fact we would all likely concede there is some distance to go, nevertheless the fact recent displays have shown a sharp upturn in both quality of play and ability to score bodes a touch better than the likes of our depressing exit from Europe.
Rarely do friendlies truly matter, they say, and yet the cautious optimism afforded by fans following commendable results against Marseille and Watford (arguably two of the best four teams Rangers have played since losing out in the UCL qualifier to Malmo in 2011 – the others obviously being Leipzig and Burnley) does suggest there are morale hikes a-plenty in the support.
And that good feeling is important. Fans can try second guessing ourselves, and saying friendlies do not matter, but the crazy reality is that they do. While the primary focus is fitness and experimentation, dismissing the moral boost from a fine result against a great team is folly, and while it does not confirm the side is ready for a long hard competitive season, it sure as heck does not hurt either.
Whenever a side has a poor pre-season, more often than not they take that into competitive action. It is no absolute reflection on what fans can expect – but it certainly gives a clue.
Which is why morale was on the floor following Rangers’ latest friendly loss, this time to St Johnstone. Two matches later and we have much more to believe in.
Hence Sunday’s trip to Wednesday (oh the puns) is another fine friendly to test ourselves on. A very solid English Championship team on their patch which maybe two or three fixtures ago fans would not have expected much from – now with the “Alves Effect” in full flow not to mention the decent integration from the likes of Dorrans and Herrera, Rangers supporters actually have some small expectation.
It is, of course, the club’s final pre-season jaunt before the serious action begins – but if we had been looking at Motherwell following the St Johnstone result, hopes for a good start would have been more optimistic than realistic.
But now with things apparently clicking just a little more, there is a sense of the right path tentatively ahead.
Sunday matters – let us not ignore its importance just because nothing truly rides on it. It is the final dress rehearsal before next weekend, and Pedro’s Rangers are truly becoming tangible now – we at Ibrox Noise had been critical of his work so far, but while a lot of the improvement could be lazily attributed to the “Alves Effect”, it was his manager who sought him so feverishly as a priority signing.
Now we see why. Add to that Jack, Cardoso, Dorrans and the improving Herrera and Candeias, and things are simmering the right way. And these are all Pedro’s men.
Hopefully Pedro’s men give us more to cheer on Sunday. Against Wednesday. On Sunday…
Agree with the article, the feelgood factor is crucial for us this pre-season, especially after what we've been through the last few years. Really looking forward to the game tomorrow. Wednesday are a good team and were unlucky not to go up last season. We played Burnley this time last year and they blew us away (albeit they'd secured promotion); Hill's defending was like something from a Laurel & Hardy sketch. We're looking in better shape now if the games against Watford and Marseille are anything to go by, so fingers crossed for a good display!
Need one more CB and a LW-LM and we will have a decent squad to take on the mob💪
Nice tribute to Alves,, however, whats plan B if he gets injured or suspended??,, Wilson,,Bates,, same defence as last season. Cardoso will need Alves beside him, he wont be able to hold the defence together with Wilson or Bates, not a chance. First goal for Marseille proved that. Defence floundered when Alves went off. We need quality cover at CB and FBs or we will suffer at the back next season!
Agree with above. Must get enough another cb.
Wilson wasn't convincing at both Marseille goals including the disallowed one so totally agree with the above.
Candeias looked like he has something about him in that game including a defensive awareness and willingness to track back (essential with Tav bombing forward) and the two of them linked up well offensively. I still think we need more quality in wide areas to break teams down that camp in though. Like Pinfold said a LW-LM.
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