23 Jul 2026 11:45:11
I do love that some people on here seem to think that just because it was a friendly it means many Rangers fans that have concerns (me) aren't allowed to state our concerns about the performance.
I get that lot's on here want to be positive and I really wish I could paint that positive spin every time too but reality is we have won nothing in almost 15 years so that hurt and anger at how far our team has fallen has really brought about many trying to be realistic about things.
Yes it was a friendly, yes they may have had a training session yesterday. But these are professionals that get a very tidy sum of money to do what we all wish we could do.
Many are praising Devlin because he brought energy, so if he can do it in a friendly then why can't the rest?
Just want to finish by saying that many of us on here last season (me again) slated our team for last seasons friendlies where we looked leggy, uninterested, confused by tactics etc etc but look how that turned out with our start to last season. Pointing these things out doesn't mean we don't support the boys but just want to see more to give us hope going forward especially when the concerns are valid.
23 Jul 2026 12:00:00
Well said, Bigbluejim. Totally agree.
23 Jul 2026 12:20:39
Bbj, can I ask you if this is the 1st 90 mins you have seen of the team so far in pre season? I get people having concerns, but don't you agree it's an over reaction? If not, fair enough, but imo it is.
23 Jul 2026 12:21:25
I make it 5 since we won the league.
23 Jul 2026 12:33:51
BBJ, it should read in 15 years we've won almost nothing because we did win the league in 2021 and a couple of cups, but I get your frustration. I expected a bit of organisation defensively and pattern in the build up, and there was nothing. None of the new players showed much, yeah Devlin came on and kicked people, but is that really what we've come to? We had Diomande in some sort of inverted right winger position while wingers sat on the bench, and we had to bring on a young midfielder at right back because we have no reliable, fit cover, although Hutton was there and he is a right back.
More questions than answers from that performance.
23 Jul 2026 12:44:56
CB, this is of course the first 90 mins game I've seen since it was televised and the others were all behind the scenes but I've watched the highlights of the games that Rangers themselves showed.
Not really an overreaction, as it's just stating concerns which for me are very valid, given we start the league next week.
Very good Marchdale, maybe you're a happy chappy at 1 league win in 15 years, but I'm certainly not.
23 Jul 2026 12:51:03
I'm glad someone else said what I was thinking. Yes, it's early, yes, it's a friendly, yes, players will go and players will arrive. But the display gave me more concerns than reassurances.
23 Jul 2026 12:51:11
It was meant to have "almost" in front of it, Wsl.
23 Jul 2026 13:11:08
I think it was more Devlin who brought energy, then kicked people.
23 Jul 2026 13:25:56
Bbj, I'm more of the mindset of not reading into it too much because it's a friendly, but I also think you're quite right to have concerns. Stating concerns isn't the same as declaring the season over or completely writing a player off. For example, I thought Aasgaard looked good last night in a few instances, such as his back heel to Rommens and his run into the box, also struck his pen well. That doesn't mean I think he's the answer. I have said I think we'll see a better version of him this season though, so not the best example. 😂
Last night, I thought Fernandez was very good on the ball and very poor off it, thought Rommens had his worst performance for us and thought that Dan Neil was poor first half but grew into it. Chermiti had a poor game for me, as he rarely held the ball well, and I thought Shankland pressed well but not much else.
Chukwuani was a passenger, and Devlin changed the game and dictated the tempo.
Now, saying that doesn't mean the season is in jeopardy. It's taking a singular game in isolation. I also think we need wide players, and I'm concerned that Del gave zero minutes to Antman and Gassama, and in his presser said that the difference in some players' best and worst is too great (I'm assuming that was aimed at Gassama and Antman, possibly Chuk as well). But I believe these issues will be addressed.
I'm still optimistic and believe we will see a much better team this season, but criticism of last night is fair without being overtop unless folk are writing the season off before the window even closes and the competitive games start.
23 Jul 2026 13:29:35
Just came on and kicked people? Utter nonsense. Guy, come on, with heart, drive, fight and energy. I wasn't overly excited about Devlin coming, but I'll take more of that apparent just kicking people every single week cause we will be far better off in most of the tighter games with that type of attitude.
23 Jul 2026 13:54:05
Very well put, Murph. I'm not writing the season off as it hasn't started yet, but I just don't get people saying we can't have concerns because it was a friendly.
The warning signs were there last season and Martin never addressed those, I'm hoping Dm does. The comment about players worst to best was a wee bit concerning to me too, but he said it's something he is working on, so hopefully it's sorted.
For me, Fernandez is too slow with the ball, and off the ball he is a liability. Agreed, Rommens had his worst game so far, but part of me thinks he gets frustrated easily as he did a couple of times, turn and have a go at the other defenders. Now whether it's because people were out of position is for Dm to sort, but I feel we never got to see his attacking side either.
I thought Chermiti looked off it last night, and Shanks can't and should not be playing behind him. If Dm wants to play like that, I feel he should swap them round and allow Shanks to be the furthest forward.
Tochi for me can be sold. I liked him his first couple of games, but he just looks like he isn't bothered being here, coupled with the rumour that he isn't enjoying life in Scotland.
Certainly concerns, but we have time to sort them. I want some actual quality bringing in, as we really haven't upgraded on a team that finished 3rd. Especially as we haven't even really spent a penny yet (Pandur excluded ofc).
23 Jul 2026 14:14:48
I was surprised at how poor Rangers actually were last night. However, I refuse to believe that's as good as it's going to get under McInnes. Let's see where we're at in a few weeks.
23 Jul 2026 14:50:24
One thing must be sure in your opinion, Rohl, Curtis will put in a transfer request because he's not good enough for first choice right now.
23 Jul 2026 16:50:00
Yes, be concerned but at least realise what these exhibition come training sessions are for. They are usually played after heavy training sessions during the day of the match so players play with fatigued legs.
They are low pressure environments where new players can be integrated and the manager can experiment with formations and players in odd positions without any serious sporting repercussions. By doing so he learns what works and what fails. Ultimately, pre-season is simply a necessary diagnostic tool that helps the squad regain their match fitness, positioning, timing, and tactical familiarity ahead of the actual competitive season.
Because avoiding injuries and building match sharpness are the main priorities, players consciously avoid high-risk tackles and competitive intensity so how they perform isn't hugely important.
Fans, on the other hand, expect these matches to show them how the team will play and expect performances and tactics to reflect how the season will go. That is probably happening in the background, closed doors where the real work is done. Also, domestic opposition will have no idea how we will line up and how we will play after that.
imo these games are better behind closed doors but that takes away from the cash the club gets from fans who want to turn up.
I didn't watch it and in fact had forgotten all about it till I read on here as these games are always the same. Real season will be different and see what McInnes has planned for us.
23 Jul 2026 18:05:26
Finally going to get you disagreeing with me again, Angus, lol
Like I said before, bud, if we had been a winning side and all that jazz, fans would be more forgiving 100%, but we are desperate for sustained success and after the board going and getting "Rangers" men who get it. I thought we might see more from last night but lucky for you that you didn't watch it as you'd be tearing your eyes out after 45 mins.
I'm not writing the season off, but I'm also very aware of the friendlies (Last season) where we struggled in the same manner as last night and look how that went. Last night just highlighted the imbalance in our squad and the sheer lack of actual quality.
23 Jul 2026 18:36:15
I believe Curtis is good enough to start for Rangers on the left-wing and he could score double figures for us, Star. Based on last night's friendly it seems like you've written him off as not good enough - that seems very foolish to me.
I also believe that if Curtis is not getting game time he will look to leave for game time elsewhere just as he did in January.
Why wouldn't he? Why would he be content to sit in the stand?
Can you explain to me why Curtis "must" put in a transfer request now, Storm? Has he been told he won't be playing this season?