Today’s Spurs clash taught us a few things about our team and where it is this preseason under Gio as he puts together a group ready for the new season.
Ibrox Noise takes you through what we learned in defeat to Antonio Conte’s men.
1: First of all, it is ONLY a friendly – we can’t well truly conclude anything when both sides are just experimenting and getting fitness together. But that said, Spurs’ class was evident from the start. They were the best team we’ve faced aside Dortmund for the best part of 5 years if not more. And yes, we include Frankfurt in this – great team but Spurs and Dortmund are both much better, albeit Eintracht WERE worthy winners of the UEL.
2: Connor Goldson looks like an entitled squirt more and more, regularly caught for position and acting like he’s not to blame. Both goals were hugely on him. We’re getting more and more fed up with his conduct, ever since he held us to ransom for a contract. He’s undroppable, knows it, and acts it. But doesn’t play like he’s earned it.
3: Matondo is a gem, a real, real gem – he’s a player who has found the right club to showcase his talent, and while there’s a bit of polishing required, his pace is sensational and he’ll damage a tonne of teams with that this season.
4: Colak’s movement is superb – he has been in the right place at the right time so often, and today he nailed his first goal, deservedly so. He’s big, surprisingly strong, rather quick, and he might just be the first choice if he keeps this form up going into competitive matches. Great team player.
5: Tom Lawrence is very, very smart – he has an exceptional reading of the game, and he knows where to place the ball (most times). It begs the question why no PL side ever picked him up.
6: Borna is doing EVERYTHING he can to hold onto his LB slot – as we said earlier he’s surely going to lose it to Yilmaz, but that competition seems to be making him up his game. He was in some very good form.
7: McGregor remains our best goalie bar none. The upgrade from the shambles that was McLaughlin v West Ham was night and day. He might be older than the Dead Sea but he remains our best.
8: Tavernier’s guts, heart and all round quality despite being untouchable like Goldson are a total contrast to the vice captain. Works for the team, and has become, after a long time, a genuinely valid captain. He’s earned respect now, because he works with his team mates and doesn’t blame them for his errors.
9: Some Rangers fans displayed ridiculous arrogance prematch, with derision of Harry Kane’s qualities – so it stood to reason the England striker would bag two easily. His quality is what we’ll face in the UCL if we get there, and even in the playoff round, again, if we get there. It’s a massive hike over the UEL, with only Haaland better than Kane of all the strikers in the UEL we faced. And of course, we didn’t actually take on the now Man City man.
10: We’re glad we lost this one, because with all these preseason wins fans were probably thinking we were ready. We are probably more ready now with the education this defeat gave us, and it’s fair to say while Union Saint are no slouches, they are a massive downgrade on Spurs.
11: Lundstram was great, and while he helped nullify Kane in the first half with the man on man marking, it did take a lot of sting from Rangers’ play. We didn’t really get going again after our goal, and went a bit flat till we were 1-2 down.
12: Overall Rangers played admirably – Spurs are on a different level and that showed in places, but Gio’s men gave a respectable account of themselves.
In conclusion, that’s preseason done – and Livi then Union Saint await.
And so do us fans.
I agree with all of your observations IN. Goldson is slack and seems quite happy to expose Souttar by not working hard enough or using his experience, I hope Gio deals with this as it will cost us if he doesn’t. I thought Lawrence and Matondo did very well they will really hurt ALL of the Scottish teams . Colas took his goal superbly. Spurs , Conte and Harry Kane are Top Drawer. Kames goals were both fabulous movement and finishing. We are looking good for this season definitely however we need Morelos , or another Striking option. Ryan Kent needs to decide what he wants as he is definitely a good player but fades too quickly albeit Conte cancelled out Rangers attack 2nd half by tweaking his team. Finally yes bring it on we will win 56 , but Spurs are Top Class.
Totally agree with everything you say. Some difference in PL teams that finish 4th and 7th, even bigger one between Kane/Antonio!
Goldson done brilliant to block a 1st half shot by Kane, by simply sticking his leg out and blocking it. He failed to do that for Kanes first goal, 2 goals in a couple of month he could’ve stopped by doing the same thing!
And for all the world class strikers who have graced our pitch, he is the first since I can remember who has actually scored against us. The last being a very young Benzema for Lyon!
Good point about losing the game. I always think it is better to get a wee reality check during pre-season than carry o er confidence into the season and get it when it matters as we did at Tannadice last season.
Defence was carved out to easily,should av been 5-1if it wasnt for McGregor,no wonder he was raging with his hands in there saying wtf,need to tighten up big time,
But a good lesson learnt for us,better to find out now than later
Onwards💪
WATP🇬🇧
Some bears think bassey was world class ,I disagreed ….now son and kane ? world class ,and shows you standard we will need to handle if in CL .
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