New Footie season - 2018/2019

[rmcin626]

Better second half from Rangers, Celtic now 13 points clear, who would want to buy a striker that has now been sent off 5 times this season even if he has scored 29 goals

[Marco]

...but seemingly can't score against his biggest rivals in old firm games?

Did you watch the game then, Robin?

Marco.

[rmcin626]

...but seemingly can't score against his biggest rivals in old firm games?

Did you watch the game then, Robin?

Marco.

Unfortunately yes Marco, plenty for the SFA to sort out after the game

[Marco]

Yup, let's deal with that first... Brown was clearly in 'antagonise mode' from the first whistle, and aside from the Morelos incident where he clipped his heels and Morelos reacted and got sent off (inexcusable from Morelos), Brown was in the faces of several Rangers players throughout the match. I know that's part of his game, but I don't really condone it.

However, Kent should've walked later for pushing Brown to the ground, which the whole stadium saw, and also everyone viewing on TV, but somehow the referee and his assistants missed! Plus Halliday mouthing off at the end, going up to Brown and enflaming the situation again should've been punished, and I believe he was later given a second yellow card, which of course turns into a red.

It'll be interesting to see if Kent is also later awarded a red card, when the authorities see the TV evidence of his lunge at Brown, who I also feel deserves some kind of punishment for his behaviour. I'm a big fan of Brown, and he's a player every side in the country would love to have in their team, and someone the opposing fans love to hate, but I don't approve of what he set out to do today, as it only creates bad blood between the teams, so the next game at Ibrox is set to be a powder keg!

Morelos? An absolute disgrace to professional football, IMO, and if I were Gerrard, he wouldn't play for Rangers again. Forget his goalscoring talent, as his impetuousness and inability to control his temper completely outweighs that, and he let his teammates down badly today. Therefore, for me, he doesn't deserve to kick another ball for Rangers, whose season is now over, and should be sold in the summer to the highest bidder.

As for the game itself, football wise, Celtic blew Rangers away in the first half, and were it not for McGregor, could've been 3 or 4 up by half time. Rangers didn't manage one shot on goal and it was a non-contest. However..... Celtic came out for the second half thinking that with Rangers down to 10 men it was going to be a walk in the park and a case of 'How many?' Big mistake!

Especially coupled with Gerrard obviously having given his players a rocket at half time, and no doubt directing the sharp point at Morelos, and galvanised into trying to get something out of the game, it meant that Rangers pretty much bossed the second half, especially when Celtic's injury problems kicked in and they went down to 10 men because Lennon had used all his subs.

And even when Celtic scored their second goal and took the lead, after Tavernier, who'd had a great game up until that point, once again showed his defensive frailties and lack of concentration, gifted the ball to Celtic, which lead to Forrest scoring what was eventually the winner. Not to mention Jack had a great chance before that to put Rangers 1-2 up, but skied his shot over the bar! However, even after Celtic had gone ahead, Rangers continued to be the team on the ascendency, and if it hadn't been for Ajer, who cleared away a great chance for Worrall to score late on, Rangers could've sneaked a draw.

Therefore, even though Celtic once again found a way to score a late winning goal, and on balance overall probably deserved to win, I think Rangers can take something positive from their superb second-half performance, and the fact that they finished the stronger side, despite having played the majority of the game with 10 men. From Rangers' point of view, it was a case of 'what if', as if Morelos had been available for the 2nd half, when Rangers were on top, who knows what would've happened?

Or one could argue that perhaps Rangers wouldn't have been as galvanised in the 2nd half had they not lost Morelos... Teams often play better with 10 men than 11. Regardless, under Gerrard, Rangers are no longer Celtic's whipping boys, which was shown in the last match at Ibrox and in their second-half performance today. Therefore, if they can sign 3 or 4 quality players in the summer and improve their consistency against the other teams in the league, next season will be a cracker!

Before that though, I certainly expect the last encounter this season between the two teams, at Ibrox, to be a feisty affair and the Rangers players will have no shortage of motivation for revenge after Brown's antics today, so Celtic will have to be prepared for that. In any case, short of a total capitulation from Celtic now, 8 in-a-row is in the bag, and we continue now to try and secure the treble-treble, with a very difficult game against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final!

Marco.

[rmcin626]

Very good summary Marco, I think once the dust settles Rangers will have 3 players suspended. Personally I would not play Morelos again. I also have to admit to not being a great fan of Scott Brown his antics during and the end of the game were way below that of a team Captain.

[Marco]

I completely agree, Robin. There's no need for that stuff, although in the past Rangers have had a few 'Scott Browns' of their own... Brown has been playing very well recently and scoring sone crucial goals for Celtic, so he should concentrate instead on playing football!

In terms of Morelos. unfortunately I think Gerrard will have to play him, that is when he returns from suspension, as his transfer value will dwindle if he's not playing regularly... Plus, who else in the Rangers team is going to score goals regularly in his absence?

Defoe has been a big disappointment for me, although he's not started many games, but I just think he's a spent force now and not worth the wage bill. If he genuinely still had it in him and is still the player he once was, he'd have shown it in training by now and Gerrard would've put him in the team, although he doesn't exactly compliment Morelos, in terms of playing style.

Marco.

P.S Where's Granty?

[struth]

Of what ive been told Broonie was trying to get folk to react. I agree its not acceptable, or should i say, shouldnt be, but apparently it is.
Footy has become a disgrace to itself imo. Far too many players and managers misbehaving; acting like thugs etc and then have the cheek to demand the fans behave The press too are always at it, as are the usual media culprits like Sutton and his ilk.
Nowt will change alas, and i had hopes it would. So i have to make a stand to a point. I dont expect saints but that kind of behaviour is sending a message to folk like my grandson as how he should be behaving.... Celtic wont discipline Brown as he was pretty much carrying out orders im guessing, like McKenna in the Dons team.

As to Morelos, well he just doesnt have the temperament for the game here. He is a manchild alas, and isnt going to change overnight. Gerrard isnt the man to curb him. thats for sure.
Not sure he has it for England either. Europe or back to S America I think. Yes he will put in a transfer request and it will be looked at sympathetically .
The other trouble was just Handbags really but will be drawn out to silly proportions as it suits...

Result of course was fighting by fans and no doubt stabbings etc.... wives being assaulted etc

As I say, if managers and players cant behave then dont expect fans to... sorry its a bit dour.... oh and congrats to Celtic; overall they deserved at least a point, and maybe all 3, or so im told... a draw may have been fairer but overall it wouldnt change much

[struth]

oh I might add ive seen the morelos incident in slo mo and he never actually connected with brown who took a dive, as was his obvious intention. Poor from both for differing reasons.

[rmcin626]

Morelos is now banned for 4 games for his stupidity, Halliday will also be banned and I also expect Kent to be charged. But we really need to change the mentality not just in Scotland, too many players now dive as a matter of course.

[struth]

more and more rangers fans are leaving Asda for Sainsburys too.... coz of the orange bags