Rangers Banter Archive September 27 2018
Use our rumours form to send us rangers transfer rumours.
27 Sep 2018 22:02:52
First post guys, albeit a recent regular reader. I enjoy most of the 'banter' although I'm possibly more used to some of the needless negativity on some posts given that, that was par for the course in the likes of the 'Follow Follow' fanzine even during our NIAR years! (Yes, with Gazza and Lauders! )
Anyhow that was just an intro (been watching the famous GR since I was 7), my main point is the below text from Neil Doncaster re the scheduling of the semis.
Look at the words, 'THAT IS THE PRICE WE PAY FOR HAVING 2 TEAMS IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGES THIS YEAR. '
I may be daft, but I would have naturally thought that in our part of the UK battling against the big bucks on offer from over the border, having our 2 main teams in the Europa League stages was a real bonus. Not (as Doncaster says) A PRICE TO PAY.
Welcome your thoughts Bears.
Doncaster post below:-
"We've got the games staggered a fair way apart and while we appreciate it will cause some inconvenience for supporters travelling, but that is the price we pay for having two teams in the Europa League group stages this year. ".
27 Sep 2018 23:52:04
@nightmare1872 - welcome aboard. I would think he would have liked to have said ' if Celtic hadn't fecked up CL qualification and Rangers hadn't taken us all by surprise, this wouldn't be an issue'!
Or have I caught a dose of Tim Paranoia?
28 Sep 2018 07:24:34
Stop it UJ, you'll have the bham on at you. You know truth dosnt work in this wonderful world of Scottish football.
27 Sep 2018 21:42:55
What about playing Dorrans or Validation up top? Both can score?
{Ed033's Note - Validation needs to be validated first. :)
27 Sep 2018 22:54:51
That's one predictive text mess up right there!
I'm guessing you mean Middleton? Can't see Gerrard starting the young man as our main striker in a cup semi.
28 Sep 2018 11:58:52
Gers should start grezda up front in semi final his pace would frighten any defense.
28 Sep 2018 22:33:17
Lol apologies yep it was a predictive text mistake but it was supposed to say Halliday.
27 Sep 2018 20:43:07
Thinking about the Aberdeen and motherwell games. We were about 3 minute away from a result in both 6 points. If we had got that six points we would now have 17points that would have put us top of the league. 7 points ahead of the persons. Fine margins indeed.
27 Sep 2018 21:54:11
Got draws, so 4 points. Sickening though.
27 Sep 2018 21:54:45
Sorry but I think your calculations are wrong, we already got 1 point from each game, so if we had won them both that would have been another 4 points, that's a total of 15 points, one point behind Hearts .
28 Sep 2018 00:42:07
1+1=3.
28 Sep 2018 01:39:03
But we never, forget about those points and move on.
27 Sep 2018 23:49:19
We still got 2 points out those games so only an extra 4, putting us on 15 points.
28 Sep 2018 09:45:28
Yes it’s disappointing to drop 7 points so far but we need to focus on getting 6 before the international break and we’ll be sitting ok!
27 Sep 2018 20:13:51
both games on the same day so this will be a chance for all Scottish football fans to show the world how to behave.
27 Sep 2018 22:23:26
As long as none of us do anything to give the mhedia any opportunity to attack us I'll be happy.
28 Sep 2018 07:33:26
A recipe for disaster I fear. Feel sorry for our fans stuck in far flung places having to get to Glasgow for 12pm start. Sheep fans can jog on lol.
27 Sep 2018 20:05:21
Beyond belief. No football club can survive without fans. So 4 sets of fans have to travel to Glasgow on a Sunday, two sets need to be here for 1200 and the other two sets will have the joys of getting home near or after midnight. As for having 100000 or near as call if football fans in the same city plus countless others watching the games in pubs and clubs.
Well done whoever thought this was a great idea cause it ain't!
28 Sep 2018 08:58:41
Morning fellow bears i'm going to the game and was going to take my grandson, not sure i want him to see all the hate directed at us from 3 of our haters! They cannot be seriously think the police will say great idea let's do that? Total morons!
28 Sep 2018 09:30:57
Police will say its a good idea for the double time they will get.
27 Sep 2018 19:39:35
Regarding the strips I got an email today from Greg the liason officer at rangers. According to Greg selling the strips at cheaper then rangers online was jd sports idea and rangers can't comment on pricing set by an external company.
27 Sep 2018 18:30:57
So both cup semis on the same day in Glasgow, absolutely madness. Rangers Celtic Hearts and Aberdeen fans in the same city on the same day is a recipe for disaster surely?
27 Sep 2018 19:01:04
Can you imagine the state of the pitch after the first game? Not to mention the sheep molesters ripping up sceptics seats after getting humped off us 😂😂.
27 Sep 2018 19:23:40
By that time, Barrowlad, we'll be safely in the final and away to our own pubs and clubs to celebrate. Get there, get the job done, get away from the city centre before the dhims arrive seeking trouble. If there's trouble after 10pm let's not give the Scottish mhedia the opportunity to hang it on our fans.
27 Sep 2018 21:35:41
Manchester 2.0.
27 Sep 2018 23:45:50
At least timco and our team can get another day to recover is that not what Stevie wanted .
27 Sep 2018 18:23:46
Just when you think the SFA can't get any more personic.
27 Sep 2018 18:41:19
*supposed to be stupid.
27 Sep 2018 18:41:20
Is it not the spfl that's been involved in deciding this!
27 Sep 2018 18:48:40
Yes SPFL, sorry so used to saying the SFA are persons 😂.
28 Sep 2018 00:39:33
Personic? Loving that word?
{Ed033's Note - It's the legal version of moronic.
27 Sep 2018 17:36:42
I'm from NIreland and there is a young guy who plays for a local team, the team is Glenavon and the guy is Mark Sykes, central midfield holding player, already plays for NI under 21s, the Gers scouts should have a look at this kid, he's a terrier.
27 Sep 2018 17:56:28
I'm sure if the lad has any potential then he's already been scouted. Bomber for one would know about him.
27 Sep 2018 17:24:00
Is it me or does one of our national papers constantly put negative stories about our club online all the time, just seen the Franny Jeffers thing, any excuse to be negative about us, past or present.
27 Sep 2018 15:17:13
what ever happened to Maciej Gostomski?
27 Sep 2018 15:23:26
Signed for six months in 2016, released after six weeks. What a blast from the past, c-bear!
27 Sep 2018 15:36:17
Was that the goalie?
27 Sep 2018 20:46:16
If i remember correctly he wanted to be 1st pick over wes so left in january.
27 Sep 2018 14:52:55
Here's one i'm going to put out here, that some of us were discussing at the ayr utd game, at ibrox last night. Gerrard had said to the media at the weekend, that he wants to sign our 4 loanees, on permanent contracts at rangers, hopefully in january. The 4 players in question were lassana coulibaly, ryan kent,
ovie ejaria and joe worrall. I hope we can sign all 4 permanently, but being honest i think we'd be doing well to sign 2 of the 4,on permanent deals! So if we could only secure 2 of these players on permanent contracts,
which 2 would my fellow bears prefer us to sign? This should be a very contrasting,
interesting debate! My choices would be lassana coulibaly and ryan kent!
27 Sep 2018 16:00:59
Worrall and ojaria for me great dilema though definitely keep all 4.
27 Sep 2018 16:56:02
I'd try and sign them all, especially Coulibaly and Ejaria (who I think is going to sell for big bucks at some point in his career) . Let's hope we make the big bucks for a change.
27 Sep 2018 17:17:25
Be realistic guys.
Forest turned down 11 million bid in January from Burnley for Worrall. So not happening
Coulibaly possible around 3.5 million
Kent won’t make it at Liverpool, but value around 6 million, we won’t pay that
Ejaria new five year deal, no idea re value
Sadiq bye bye.
27 Sep 2018 18:04:41
coulibaly all the way for me and if we get any of the rest it is a bonus but i think the big man is a must have the team is an all round stronger unit with him in it.
27 Sep 2018 19:23:29
Ryan Kent contract runs out next summer so could we sign him January on perm deal?
Coulibaly would be doable on perm deal.
I think Ejaria and Worrell will be too expensive.
27 Sep 2018 19:26:26
Couibaly and Kent are the most realistic targets, but I think the real player will be Ejaria.
27 Sep 2018 20:48:33
Kent and coulibally for me. If we can by some miracle get all but the giraffe that would be great.
27 Sep 2018 21:27:57
Would really like to see Coulibaly signed permanently he's the midfielder we've been crying out for and I think would be affordable . Ejaria has recently signed a 5 year deal at Anfield I think so I presume Liverpool have plan for him down the line so can't see it sadly as he's won me round, at first I wasn't sure about him but in recent weeks he's cone into his own and looks a great player . Ryan Kent I think is do-able I know he also has a contract at Anfield but think Liverpool would be more open to the idea of letting him go than Ejaria and as for Worrall he comes with a big reputation in England and if the story of Forest turning down £11 million from Burnley is true it make's you wonder if he will be someone we will be able to compete for as I'm sure there are a lot if clubs down south who will be watching closely how Worrall is getting on here at Rangers. All guess work and just my opinion but out the 4 I think Kent and Coulibaly are the most realistic . As for Sadiq I think we may have a Dalcio mark 2 on our hands but hope I'm wrong.
27 Sep 2018 23:33:15
@SC11 - same as you though I do like Ejaria. Just feel you can see the hunger in Kent’s play more and well, Coulibaly is just awesome!
27 Sep 2018 14:37:55
New one here, just a short note, I'm really glad that Andy Halliday is being given a chance, I know he's not a world beater but the guy has balls and he would try and try again for his beloved team. Keep it up Andy.
27 Sep 2018 16:48:59
Not a great fan but he was outstanding last night I actuslly prefer him at left back to centre mid. Always rooting for him tho as he's showed some bottle to come back from some of his setbacks at our club 👍.
27 Sep 2018 13:55:15
I'm perplexed by this Sadiq situation we scouted him saw enough to pursue him bring him over then don't play him I appreciate he wasn't match for at that time but since then?
I see Gerrard quoted as saying he would need to improve an awful lot to be considered so what's gone wrong if he was that bad why did we pursue surely we wouldn't have bothered.
27 Sep 2018 15:01:03
I think plain and simple, we got this one wrong. It happens👍.
27 Sep 2018 17:19:49
Coldco totally agree. But one wrong out of 15 very good
Plus improvement in tav, Halliday candieas jack Morelos pled Middelton and mccrorie.
27 Sep 2018 17:20:55
I don't think its just simply that we got it wrong, more likely to be a combination of a few things, apparently one being that the lad hasn't settled or adapted to Scotland, but hopefully he gets stuck in and takes his chance when he gets it,
27 Sep 2018 23:35:47
Could be he’s still not up to speed fitness wise or plain and simple as @coldo says - just not good enough? Who knows? I’ll trust Gerrards judgement on him being ready or not👍.
28 Sep 2018 00:28:08
From what I gather reading between the lines and from the history, Sadiq does not like training and Stevie can’t hack that. Previous manager explained it saying he just didn’t want to train but if you let him loose . train or not he can pull off some magical skill . but again fall off his feet next moment . Brilliant entertainment. thot the last involvement for us when he got his legs tangled and the whole stadium erupted in laughter really must have super effected him. It must have .
27 Sep 2018 13:29:41
McCrorie as central striker against the sheep---"HAVOC".
27 Sep 2018 16:50:23
I'd play Middleton it used to work with lovenkrands get him on the shoulder of last man his pace will terrify them.
27 Sep 2018 17:21:07
Fb same with grezda. I think grezda Middelton and Kent interchanging will cause problems.
Plus arfield in midfield.
27 Sep 2018 18:08:56
Jboy21 I posted exactly that hours ago mate, but it was ignored. Thinking of changing my name as it happens too often, or maybe just not bother contributing to the discussions.
27 Sep 2018 12:58:28
As we now know, we won't have fredo morelos (suspended) and kyle lafferty (cup tied)
for our upcoming, betfred league cup semi final, against the sheep, at the end of October!
This leaves us at the barebones, striker wise for this important cup game! Will steven gerrard trust sadiq, or will he play one of our wingers, through the middle, up top? This makes for an interesting poll here! Could you please set up a poll ED, for all our supporters here, to gauge what they think, the best solution would be?
The poll would read, should gerrard play sadiq, Kent, middleton,
candeias, or other through the middle, up front, against aberdeen in our forthcoming, semi final? Cheers ED, much appreciated pal!
{Ed033's Note -
Rangers Semi Final Poll
27 Sep 2018 13:18:02
I don't think this will be too much of a problem. The likes of Middleton, Kent and Grezda could easily play up top against the lumbering sheep defence with Sadiq either starting or coming on in the second half. If we play our normal game this lot will never live with us.
27 Sep 2018 13:28:59
Dapo Mebude uptop for me give him some first team football. I get its a risk but from what I've seen and heard the boy can handle himself.
27 Sep 2018 13:53:40
For me personally, i'd play ryan kent through the middle, against the sheep in the betfred semi final! He's capable of tearing their defence apart, with his pace, skill on the ball and directness! So for me, kent through the middle against mcinnes's mob! We'll destroy that mob, i've got no doubt about it! Really hate that football club with a passion!
27 Sep 2018 14:07:13
Kyle1872, when did you see him? He's just a wee kid finding his feet in the reserves, never mind ready for a first team debut in a semi final. Handle himself? What on earth do you mean by that? Nobody had even heard of him three weeks ago and now the hysteria is getting a grip once more and he's being viewed as ome sort of potential world beater! Leave the laddie alone to learn and to progress physically and mentally and maybe in a year or so he'll be mixing with the first team squad.
27 Sep 2018 15:02:37
Dutycalls
Agree totally mate it’s ludicrous for anyone to suggest we throw this young guy into a semi final against that mob. We had people on here a year or so ago going on about Atakayi playing for the first team. Don’t know why people are so far removed from reality
Supercooper
Would be amazed if Candeias played through the middle against them. We are really struggling up front for that game and if Sadiq isn’t considered good enough to be playing then what is the point in him being there.
27 Sep 2018 15:47:51
I cannot imagine that Gerrard would risk sadiq in a cup semi-final, maybe he should try Grezda there as his fitness seems to be improving, he's certainly fast enough to cause problems to their defence?
27 Sep 2018 16:52:04
MiddlEton would terrify mckenna with his pace.
27 Sep 2018 23:09:04
The manager will sort it, it won't be Sadiq.
27 Sep 2018 12:45:49
So let's have a go at addressing this.
Over the past few weeks there has been a lot of talk about Celtic - re they are just going through a wee bad patch and that they still have a stronger squad and there is still a large gap between them and us.
So I'm going to go rate their club vs ours using club ambition boards and managers current form squads. etc. I will do this over several posts
This is only imo. I will try to be as fare to both sides.
The Board:
Celtic board have amassed a fortune from their system of buying young talent and selling on for vast profits and appear to run the financial side of things very well.
Negatives. Failure to match successive managers ambition with biscuit tin mentality. Allowing the team to become weaker with lack of activity in transfer market.
Rate 7/10
Rangers board. They have backed all managers that have been employed financially in the transfer market. They have sorted the kit deal mess and have appeared to have gotten the club back onto a sound financial base.
Negitives have cost the club millions by not getting the correct management team in place with the appointment of Warbarton and Pedro
Rate 8/10.
The Managers:
Brendan Rodgers:
Positives - He is a great man manager who has a vast experience at the highest level and has led his team to 2 double trebles. He deals with the media very well.
Negatives - If you look at his signings the vast majority have been poor. 75% of his team was not purchased by him. He appears to be blinkered in his style of play and will not change it even when that system is struggling to break down teams playing defensive counter systems. Failure to replace the 3 first rate players he has lost. European results.
Rate 8/10
Stevie Gerrard:
Positives - SG is a big draw when it comes to recruitment of players coaches ECT. One of the most difficult parts of managing a teams in Scotland is bringing talent to our league within the budgets that we operate. SG IMO has the upper hand over Rodgers with regards to this. His success so far in the transfer market. His ability to deal with the media.
Negatives - SG is still a inexperienced manager and as yet has not been tested with regards to if we go on a poor run. Has made a few mistakes so far - re tactics ie Celtic game and decision to bring on Wallace in the sheep game.
Rate 8/10.
27 Sep 2018 16:42:10
You make some fair points but Wallace came on against Motherwell.
27 Sep 2018 12:41:27
Big Sadiq is nowhere near it let's be honest.
Gerrards comments last night. He had no option to play alfredo.
The only solution to this is simple. bring back Eduardo Herrera from him loan spell.
Just a wee joke lads please read the remainder of the post before going radio rental.
I would play grezda up top. I know he's not played much but by the time this fixture comes around he will have more minutes under his belt and will be up to speed fitness wise.
I could see him coming short and taking it and linking up well. He won't be that out and out striker but I could see him along with an attacking mid like dorrans sort of playing close tight to each other looking to link up and slip balls through defenders for wide men cutting inside the gaps.
Who knows. or even still who would you like to see up top at hampden?
27 Sep 2018 13:27:04
i would perhaps play Dapo Mebude, seen and heard good things from the boy. Why not give the youth a chance it certainly didn't harm ross mccrorie.
27 Sep 2018 15:20:22
Kyle1872
So you would play a young slight kid against a physical Aberdeen defence? A kid who has no first team experience? How exactly is that going to do him or the team any good? You are dealing in fantasy if you think he will play.
27 Sep 2018 11:59:40
Any news on the new strips purchased from the rangers website last week?
Still no word and sons birthday is fast approaching.
27 Sep 2018 12:36:11
Ordered mine through JD Sport yesterday and just been delivered today.
27 Sep 2018 11:30:45
Let’s all stand up for Andy Halliday he is what it is to captain the greatest football team in the world keep it up Andy.
27 Sep 2018 11:41:09
He deserves it, he has been class this season👍.
27 Sep 2018 16:54:14
Difference in him is nigot and day, he's better at left back than centre mid for me maribor away and last night his 2 best games this season.
27 Sep 2018 09:41:47
What ever Halliday has been drinking or eating over the summer months I want some.
27 Sep 2018 10:46:20
Yip, andy halliday is playing superbly well and with 2 great assists for middleton last night,
he most definitely was a MOTM contender! Saying that, young glenn middleton deserved his MOTM against ayr utd, last night! Which brings me on to my next point, of how well ryan kent is now playing. This young pacey, direct winger has grown on me big style! He glides past players with ease! He drops the should and with a slight sway of the hips, he's past his man, before the opposition player has time to react! I would love us to be able to sign kent from liverpool permanently, but i believe, even if liverpool were to let him go, which i doubt anyway, he'd be a wee bit too expensive for us! I know before we signed him on a year loan deal, that he'd signed a new longterm contract, with liverpool! The best scenario for us here, would be too hopefully get ryan kent signed on an extended 1 year loan deal, after this season!
27 Sep 2018 11:09:10
Halliday is proving a lot of people wrong including myself, I would love to see Halliday's reaction if we win the title👍.
27 Sep 2018 11:38:00
"If" - why the negativity?
27 Sep 2018 12:16:33
Lol afcw191, if was a typo, I meant when👍😂.
27 Sep 2018 21:46:35
Halliday has been the model pro this season. Whether as a sub or his well deserved start and leading out the team last night he is the type of character all clubs need.
He’s certainly done the business this season under Gerrard.
And more importantly he’s one of our own who knows what it all means to us🔴⚪️🔵.
27 Sep 2018 09:37:43
Did we win last night? Was there any good performances? How did the new lads play? how was rossiter? Does grezda look good? how was katic and worral together? andy halliday captain thoughts? No! just morelos bashing! Keep it up lads fine him ban him jeeze really good for his moral do you think? c'mon bears a bit of praise for the team wouldn't go amiss!
27 Sep 2018 10:01:29
Another fine win Brian, however I think there’s far more to come! I think we have been at top gear once so far this season and that was Maribor at home 2nd half and I feel that the Rapid Vienna game next week is what we are building towards hitting this form again, under the light at an electric Ibrox.
Tricky game on Sunday on another dodgy pitch so hopefully we get the result we all expect and come through with all fit and ready for Thursday!
Also very pleased to see Rossiter back although I was cringing when he flew into those tackles and looked got up a little gingerly. I’d keep him under wraps until the Hearts game now and even then just a bench appearance and give him the next international break to build fitness.
Good also to get lots of players rested midweek and still get a comfortable win!
Keep it up lads!
Let’s Go!
27 Sep 2018 10:58:43
Well said wee bear!
27 Sep 2018 08:40:19
Gerrard has shown that he has a strong squad with depth of cover in all areas. Goals are being scored from all over the park. Morelos does need to get a grip with his childish attitude on the pitch but with goals now flowing beating Livingston won't depend on one man. Maybe Atakayi or Rudden can be thrown in to play up front on Sunday? Kent, Middleton and Candeias can all score goals and Katic and Tavernier from the back are scoring too. It is great to be a Bear right now!
27 Sep 2018 08:43:53
Sure Rudden is out on loan.
27 Sep 2018 08:44:09
Rudden is out on loan at Falkirk I think.
27 Sep 2018 09:07:02
Why canr we just stick with morelos for sunday? not broken don't fix it.
27 Sep 2018 09:08:09
Morelos is available for Sunday it’s the Semi-Final against Aberdeen that we will be short for as Lafferty also cup tied!
27 Sep 2018 09:09:18
Look on the bright side guys, at least Morelos will be available for the Final if required.
27 Sep 2018 11:55:33
Thats exactly what I was thinking bluetoon. Take the suspension just now instead of running the risk of possibly missing the final.
27 Sep 2018 13:33:16
Only problem with that is that we don't have a striker for the sheep game so we might struggle to get to the final, but given we have plenty of attacking quality I would be hopefull that one of the wide men can be pushed into the position and get us the goals, Middleton or Kent maybe.
27 Sep 2018 14:26:29
The way our team sets out its stall we can get away with not playing a recognised 'central' striker. The movement between the front three and the attacking midfield player often sees the central man either coming deep or going right or left, while wingers switch round and the midfielder becomes the furthest man forward. The fluidity and movement would suggest that we could use any combination of Ejaria, Arfield, Dorrans, Candeias, Kent, Grezda or Middleton in these four positions, a great problem for the manager to have.
27 Sep 2018 23:35:09
Jordan Rossiter could play anywhere on that park. he loves it in that penalty box . get him in there. definitely . exciting.
27 Sep 2018 23:25:45
We are pure brilliant so we are. I'd love to see rossiter up top.
27 Sep 2018 07:29:11
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 27th September 2018
27 Sep 2018 03:12:27
Anyone know where Umar Sadiq is? Is he really that bad he can’t get on the bench when we have no other strikes?
27 Sep 2018 11:13:31
Yes he really is that bad! Gerard hopes to punt him.
27 Sep 2018 12:44:49
Euan interesting to see SG say Sadiq needs to improve considerably to become involved in semi. Only signing that is not cutting it I'd say.
I'd rather see, grezda, Kent or Middleton through the middle than Sadiq.
I watched him against Motherwell reserves, worst player on the park by a mile.
27 Sep 2018 02:30:27
With Lafferty cup tied and Morelos suspended who do we think will play as striker in semi final?
I have a feeling we could play Grezda through the middle granted we haven't seen much on him but l think he is probably the best fit.
SG already said Sadiq needs to improve a lot to be given first team game.
Anyone in the development team who could step up?
27 Sep 2018 05:01:03
I absolutely love the wee man, but if he's missing the semi through suspension then he really needs to learn how to approach refs.
He was shouting, flapping his hands all over the place, asking to be booked. He was rightfully annoyed about the tackle, but if he has a calmer/ respectful approach then he'd probably not get decent bookings so often.
27 Sep 2018 07:48:50
BRW 11
Middleton might be an option.
27 Sep 2018 08:14:45
Not only did he say he needs to improve, but needs to improve a lot.
27 Sep 2018 08:18:39
Big Bambi will probably be heading back to Roma at Xmas😭🇬🇧.
27 Sep 2018 09:02:06
Arfield would be my option. Could easily lead the line in an emergency.
27 Sep 2018 09:09:15
Andy Dallas is the obvious choice from the youths, this is exactly the opportunity these boys need to take!
27 Sep 2018 10:33:26
I would go with a front 3 of kent middleton and grezda and just let them interchange constantly. That big pitch at hampden should give these lads plenty of room to tear the sheep up👍.
