Sometimes I’m accused of being perhaps too loyal or ‘upbeat’ in times of adversity that comes our way. But often, as social media has been in meltdown, I have found myself being calm and thinking it IS still all to play for in this league, certainly this season I have always felt that.
After Russia last week the reaction was very aggressive in writing off this team and my message was extremely simple, it was still all to play for both in Europe and at home in the league.
So heading into this weekend and with results going our way, we have now managed a much more respectable league position and we are very much still in it as we head into a ‘make or break’ December.
In my opinion, to be sitting where we are considering the points dropped, up and down form and it’s still very early in the manager’s tenure, we are in a healthy position and one I believe we can build on
Now not for one minute am I suggesting we are happy in third or to be two points behind, but at one point we were nine behind Hearts and facing a seven point deficit to our rivals, but we have kept at it and are now in touching distance.
I also don’t think we have hit top form yet consistently so no better time to do it than when we return in December. Worth noting players have to return to our side from yesterday but I thought we were ruthlessly efficient in every aspect.
It was the complete performance in an attacking sense in that everything we done we executed superbly. We took our chances and you could visibly see the confidence in the players coming through. I thoroughly believe we are a very good side on our day and I also believe taking goals off some team was inevitable, it just so happened to be Motherwell.
Lots of excellent individual performances from our side yesterday and it’s pleasing to say we are a far better and balanced side with Andy Halliday at left back. Defensively not many get the better of him and he can drive on and deliver from deep. It is all credit to him that he has bounced back from some terrible lows in a Rangers jersey. He has been written off by many but continues to show resilience and comeback, for that I take my hat off to him. Well done Andy
In midfield Ryan Jack was excellent as a sitting midfielder and dictated our pace, Scott Arfield then played very well knowing he could go forward and be covered. Our captains delivery once again returned to perfection after a frustrating few weeks and there was even a right footed finish from Glenn Middleton.
Eros Grezda had ninety minutes and began to show glimpses of his potential, I think we forget that once fit he could be that inspirational provider we crave in tight matches. Two goals and an assist will do his confidence no harm at all. He still has a long way to go but he showed yesterday he is more than capable
A home debut for Gareth McAuley and the big man strolled it, experienced and talked his way right through the game. The manager now has four options in centre back and McAuley has certainly done himself no harm.
So yesterday came at the right time and we showed the right reaction to our result on Thursday night or more pertinently, the manner of it. To bounce back and capitalise on the other slip ups was hugely satisfying
Motherwell were the poorest side we have played at Ibrox this season and upon realising that kicking us wouldn’t work, simply had no idea. We lost a very poor goal but I can’t recall too much else troubling us that greatly.
A small mention for their captain Peter Hartley, I hope they all had a laugh and enjoyed that in the dressing room, as much as you enjoyed your teams thuggery last season at least. Set the tone indeed
What yesterday does is put us in a good place to return to league duty in a few weeks with a huge game against difficult opponents Livingston. Then it’s Villarreal and Hearts then Aberdeen in quick succession
December, repeating myself slightly, really is vital for us but we have shown a good mentality and have shown a good level of consistency in the league recently. We are actually the leagues form side even though our performance has been unpredictable at times.
We now have every reason to be positive coming back from the break, we are very much in it and we do have every opportunity going forward. We have a tendency to overreact either way on performances or results and December is so huge I’m sure it will be a rollercoaster month.
But, if we can be top of the form league come the winter break we will head into it as league leaders.
If we keep plugging away and keep getting performances then we can emerge with a very good run both at home and in Europe. It is still there for us and we can drive on as a team in the league consistently
Some useful press idiot believes Steven Gerrard should leave Ibrox before he ‘damages his reputation’
I believe the gaffer should stay put and continue to do exactly what he has been doing
I believe the hype and I believe he is the man to get it right, I always have
Enjoy the small break, come back refreshed, recharged and ready to go
It’s all to play for and we can do it
Ignore the nonsense, the irrelevant and the noise 🔴⚪️🔵
Four Lads Had A Dream 