17 Oct 2016 11:23:56
After the way Niko Kranjcar played against Partick and even Inverness it would be a surprise if he wasn't in the starting 11 for the next game.
There's a chance Josh Windass might play instead. Considering how well he played against them the last time.
But it would be irritating, although not at all surprising, if MW decided to leave Kranjcar out but still start McKay and Waghorn.
Big fan of both these players but there form at the moment isn't at the level it should be for this league, let alone for a game against a team who are by far the best team in the league.
Not saying they lack quality, just that other players deserve a chance and getting 30 minutes here and there isn't a real chance.
17 Oct 2016 13:11:22
I agree Thorn. Waghorn does not have the pace or the skill to be on the right wing against them. McKay will start anyway so hopefully he turns up!
A lot of differing opinions on MOH but I still stick by what I said the last time pre match, a wild card with pace. He would for sure have space against them to work with which he needs. We where screaming out for someone like him for an out ball last game.
Kranjcar would be a risk again, it might pay off this time as he will know exactly what to expect this time and you can see he has gained some match fitness and confidence. A cheap effective tactic could be to use Kranjcar in the middles and send balls down the channel to MOH quickly. It won't happen but I would like it to. Even Dodoo instead could do the same job.
People below speculating the formation. Warburton will never change it no matter how much you will it to.
17 Oct 2016 13:54:58
Krancjar should not play from start on Sunday. Rangers need players who are up for a fight and have pace. I feel game pace will be to frantic for him. By all means bring him on later if we are needing a goal.
17 Oct 2016 14:02:34
Waghorn will start. Have no doubt about that. As will McKay. Trying to shoehorn favourites into a team is no use. Waghorn is effective as a centre forward and in a 4-3-3, there is only one central striker. Miller will play as well and deserves to.
MOH hasn't been given a real chance in the league to be fair to him and unlike a couple of the players we have starting (no matter how well they play), he's shown he can cope with the demands of this league. Leaving him out of the team could be a mistake.
Kranjcar played alongside Barton last time out. Alongside Holt and Halliday he'll be able to play the way he wants if he's on his game. No reason to think he won't be giving the last two performances.
Think the 4-3-3 formation is effective but unless we have a player in the holding role like a Rossiter or a Crooks we might not play as well.
Can't see Rossiter starting but given that MW risked Windass at Celtic park, he might have a chance.
17 Oct 2016 14:20:47
BossHogg, if he wasn't going to play, it's doubtful he would have started the last two games.
Against Partick he was man of the match. Against ICT he was one of the best players on the park.
Whether it's the right game for him is up for debate. But he has been one of our best players the last couple of games.
17 Oct 2016 15:57:00
why would we need pace? we need to create chances which is something we don't do enough of. kranjcar on the park may create something.
17 Oct 2016 16:02:50
I think he will definitely start I think he was good the last two games the thistle game being a bit boring and inver cally game was one that we should have put to bed in the first half.
if we play like that we will get beat.
I just hope everyone I ready to fight for every inch out there .
17 Oct 2016 16:12:04
Cee, we are creating chances mate, the problem being is we're not taking them!
17 Oct 2016 16:50:18
Kranjcar must start, mostly because he is the most creative player we have, together with the best footballing brain. Miller must also start with MoH up front as they are the best outlet for Krank's vision. No place for Waghorn or MacKay, with Windass, a MUST, starter.
This game cries out for a "flexible" 4-4-2, to ensure we win the middle of the park.
17 Oct 2016 18:13:16
Whether or not I think he will start, is different from do I think he should start.
Personally I would not start him as I don't think he is the best man for the job against Celtic.
People who think pace is irrelevant against Celtic are deluding themselves as Celtic have pace in abundance and if we try to play the way we normally play, I can't see it being anything but a win for Celtic.
Sinclair, Forrest, Dembele and Tierney are excellent going forward and if we leave any space in behind, these guys will punish us, make no mistake of that.
17 Oct 2016 18:27:26
I would start him but not as a midfielder I would play him as one of 'front 3' but ask him to drift around into pockets of space and let our number 9 (probably miller) get on shoulder of cb! If our 3 midfielders can do the scraping then niko can certainly find a killer pass! Other player in our front 3 (mckay) should hug the touchline and provide the width switching flanks and noth letting the fullbacks take ball out from the back!
17 Oct 2016 19:25:43
Kranjcar should start and our other midfielders need to protect him and get stuck in to them too.
Haliday and Holt for me they will both put their body on the line. Holts not the most physical of guys but he is box to box.
Id like to see windass or dodoo on the left or maybe on either wing.
Or unlikely but two up top garner and waghorn. Kranjcar behind and a midfield three play thru the middle.
18 Oct 2016 08:22:07
it must be kranjcar holt halliday in midfield, whay kind of message does it send dropping kranjcar when we is playing well?
18 Oct 2016 11:51:39
I'll tell you the message it sends out to me, 'horses for courses'!
18 Oct 2016 13:13:10
Dont think kranjcar should start on sunday he's played well lately but a think wee need plenty of pace a would go with halliday holt and windass kranjcar proved he was a liability in the last old firm getting subbed at half time need 11 men on that park on sunday a would like to see miller and garner upfront together no chance it will happen but rhink it would be a good combination.
18 Oct 2016 14:27:40
celtic hardly have a lot of pace in their midfield.
18 Oct 2016 13:36:47
Is the a injury problem with MOH he wasn't even on the bench on Friday night.
18 Oct 2016 14:46:14
Whoever starts they need to be 100% up for this game, they need to go for every ball, win every tackle and 'die for the jersey'. If even one of our players is lacking then we will struggle.
Other than Kranjcer we don't have a lot of true quality and as such I would expect him to play alongside Holt and Halliday.
My concerns still relate to our defence where I have no confidence in Hill and have worries that we will get caught for pace.
In the circumstances I might be tempted to go with two in attack and play an extra defender in a quasi sweeping role. The only question in my mind is who could do this job, could Rossiter or Crooks do this?
18 Oct 2016 16:12:20
Would like to see Rossiter with Halliday to the left Holt to the right and giv Windass the role that Wags seems to get with minimum effect if not try Dodoo but Wags needs to be benched i'd even go as far as considering a bid from Bristol City if one comes.
Question Bears if a bid did come in what would be a number that would be too good to turn down? can't remember the sum we paid exactly and I don't think it will be anything ridiculous but a bid of anything over 450k would be worth thinking about but personally I don't think that sum would appeal to Warbs. Thoughts Bears?
19 Oct 2016 15:58:46
I agreed because waggy shouldn't be near the team the now he isn playing well at all and I think that's because he is out on the right and prefers through the middle.
I don't agree we should sell him though as he will come good he can score goals and will be a big part of our season just not the way he is playing the now.