Footie season 2019/2020

[struth]

Hearing its 3-2 now

[struth]

It's been a feature of braga at times thus season. Collapsing after being in a winning position.
Gerrard for once, went for it and got a bit of a response.
How they got out winning, well that's football I guess.
3-2 it finishes according to the flashed score.
Keeps the tie alive and gives more points for the future standings

[Marco]

Hearing its 3-2 now

Indeed, and even I'm pleased with your win, so you guys must be ecstatic! Great result for the co-efficient. What were you saying, then?

Dunno what but they are a shadow of what they were. No desire, no real fight.

Agree with you about Morelos, though.

Marco.

[rmcin626]

Not sure how we won that game as we were shite for 70 minutes.

[struth]

Getting Kamara off should have happened in first half. He is currently brutal.
2 solo goals from skilled players and a wild deflection doesn't make it anything to write home about but, and it's a big one.. Everyone at Ibrox will remember it for a long time, and it might just spur the players on a bit for rest of season.
2 champs league places will be assured now I think.

[rmcin626]

We were outplayed for most of the game and then the changes were made, probably for the first time the Manager went for it, time will tell.

[struth]

Talking of youths, I see we have had a great signing in Malcolm Ebiowei, ex Arsenal wonderkid, 16, has signed with rangers. A number of prem teams were after him and plays for Nigeria as well. He was playing with the U18's at Arsenal. He was out of contract.
This is the way a club like ours can have a future. Young exciting players with potential and hence value.

[struth]

Yup Scotland have moved above the chechs and Cyprus so should have 2 champs league places

[rmcin626]

Strange night, thought Celtic played well especially in the first half. As for Rangers they were rubbish for about 70 minutes and lucky to be only 2 down, very similar to a game against Marseille a few decades ago totally outplayed for 3/4 of the game but somehow managed to win. That said 2 good goals and one lucky one, hopefully that will change things because we have been very poor since the winter break.

[Marco]

I thought Aribo's goal was fantastic, but he needs to produce that more, especially in league games. Hagi is defo a talented player, and no doubt was keen to impress his dad in the stand, and although he's still only 21 and settling into Scottish football, he needs to show more of those skills in league games and not 'disappear' when things get physical against the 'diddy teams'... But if coached properly, and with a bit of luck, he's destined for great things.

I also thought Kamberi looked good, for the short time he was on in the second half, and could give Rangers a different dimension up front. For me, it's either time to drop Morelos, as his not at it just now, mentally, or, and I personally I would go with this, play two up front (like Celtic have been doing), with him and Morelos, and which might take some of the pressure off of Morelos and help him get back to the form he showed before his injury. I also think there's potentially a good partnership there.

However, having watched some of their games in the group stages,I knew that Braga would be a very dangerous team, and going forward they're better than Porto, but with the very high defensive line they adopt, you'll always get chances against them, particularly if you've got pace in your team, although their goalkeeper is very, very good! It's all set to be a very entertaining night next week in Portugal.

Braga will almost certainly score over there, I feel certain about that, but if Rangers can score an away goal (at least one), I think think they'll go through, but it'll be a topsy-turvy night, full of twists and turns, and for me, whoever scores the first goal will go onto win the game and the tie. Hopefully now, from a Rangers point of view, they'll use the win last night, and euphoria of such an amazing comeback to spur them on in the league. TBH, if that comeback doesn't provide Rangers with the spark that they've been missing, nothing will!

Celtic were fantastic last night in the first half, and pretty much blew Copenhagen away. They missed numerous chances in the first half to put the tie to bed, and could've easily gone in at half time 3-0 up. I think Copenhagen were taken aback by Celtic's attacking intent, and high-press, in an away European fixture and had been expecting Celtic to be more defensive, but that's what I like now away in Europe since Neil Lennon's taken over, as we now look like we can win or at least get a point in those games, whereas under Rodgers that almost never happened... Take note Lenny detractors!

However, in the second half it was a different ball game (literally), and after a tactical switch and a boot up the arse from their manager, Copenhagen came out and played like a totally different team, and were much more direct and dangerous. The goal they scored though was due to Celtic's sloppy defending, so they'll need to be much tighter in the return leg if they're to avoid losing an away goal.

The penalty was definitely a penalty. No way did Christie deliberately handle the ball, he was just too close to get out the way, but his arm was certainly in an 'unnatural position', so I knew how the VAR decision would go. What a save though from Forster, and that could be the difference to us progressing or not. I think we'll have to score 2 goals minimum to go through, and with home advantage I'd expect us to do that, but it won't be an easy game.

I would be great to see both Rangers and Celtic go through to the last 16, and if both play to their potential and defend resolutely, then I think there's a good a chance of it happening!

Marco.