Rangers vs Berwick Rangers SFLD3 January 13

Notes for Rangers vs Berwick Rangers SFL Division 3 January 13 (Real Time)

Drew with Berwick earlier in the season 1 – 1 at Sheffield Park

Not good

Still better than 1967 when we lost 1 – 0 in Scottish Cup

The recriminations from that fateful and infamous day?

Manager Scott Symon not the same (read Leggo’s book on the man for more detail)

Players never playing for the Rangers again – Jim Forrest and George McLean

Team today 12th January Ibrox Stadium 3pm

Alexander; Hegarty, Perry, Cribari, Wallace; Little, Macleod, Hutton, Templeton Shiels, Sandaza

Subs: Currie, Crawford, Faure, Aird, Naismith

Sticking with Andy Little on the right and Cooper Templeton on the left

Shiels False no 9

Fran Sandaza playing centre forward as his partner

Midfield?

Black suspended

MacLeod steps back into his usual position

Supported with Hutton

And defence as last week’s draw with Elgin City

Well done Ross Perry making it back despite the nose injury

Today’s Officials

Previously posted on the noise coming from Scottish Football websites

Rangers getting favors from SFL /SFA about officials to Rangers Division 3 matches

Today it is Steven McLean yep another one of the country’s best ?

Atleast it is not that dud Stephen O’Reilly

(remember QOS Ibrox in Ramsden Cup for that reference?)

One of Mr McLean’s two assistants – 26 year old Lorraine Clark

The female making history

The first woman to officiate at a Rangers league game.

We did have one though at the ECL game vs Villarreal

Must be a Rangers thing

To the game

Rangers started slowly

5 minutes or so into the game though and they had started to get a grip of it

On 8 minutes a Gabriel Amato type run by Sandaza

Ball breaks to Andy Little on right side of the Berwick box

Little turns

And a scrappy pass come shot evades the “wee rangers” keeper

His 14^th goal of the season

1 – 0 Rangers

Minutes later and only a good save from the Berwick keeper stops it from being 2 – 0

Great pass from Cooper Templeton sets Sandaza down the left

Step over and left foot shot on target

Positive play by the Spaniard

Through the rest of the first half he works his socks off

And is unlucky with another couple of chances

As well as good link up play

Surely his fortune must change for the better soon?

A great run by Cooper Templeton deserves a goal

This time it is Brian Laudrup comparisons I draw

Again though the opposition keeper is up to the effort

The chance goes a begging

Little then takes advantage of good work from Shiels

His shot is dragged agonisingly wide of the keeper’s far end post

Half time it is 1 – nil deja vu from last week? Hope not!

Ironic goal has came from the right side

Cause almost all the danger is coming from Rangers left:

Copper Templeton and Wallace are a real handful

Why no Barrie McKay on the right I ask myself again?

Not on the bench – rested

Some controversial conversation on this wee gem during the week

Why he left  Kilmarnock – medical advice according to manager Kenny Shiels

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/kenny-shiels-says-barrie-mckay-1530358

Never mind Fraser Aird is on the bench for some extra width if we need it

Other points of note in this first 45 minutes

– Cribari again showing positives especially going forward

– Hutton far to slow on the ball

– Team still seem to push for this cross field high ball

(why such a pass is tolerated by coaches to receiving players like Templeton bemuses me)

– MacLeod booking?

Second half

Just settled into the second half

Hutton plays short pass to Sandaza

A pass to Cooper Templeton and ball is crossed in from the left

Andy Little scores his second goal with a beautiful crafted header

This is the type of chance/ goal Rangers should be doing more of

Andy Little despite my reservations does well on the right hand side

good pass to Sandaza and ball is crossed in

Templeton with a Jelavic like (goodness me) finish

9th goal of the season for the entertaining wide man

3 – 0

Played only 8 minutes of this second 45

Berwick look on the ropes as Hegarty is replaced by Faure

Hope no long term injury there to the young Rangers defender?

Just a wee aside

The atmosphere inside a very busy Ibrox is amazing again

Sandaza comes close again on the hr mark

Turn and shot that just goes wide of target

Poor defending and Ross Gray scores on 65 minutes

score now 3 – 1

The way the youngster celebrates his goal you would think the score was closer

Hey Ho

Not laughing now though 3 – 2

Poor play from Faure and then Cribari

Sloppy play

Berwick get a corner

Near post header and it is 4 – 2

Before worry beads take affect Little has scored his third and it is 4 – 2

A low shot from just outside the box nestling past the keeper

Templeton then has a great run and drives a shot just past the post

Then after good and unselfish work from Sandaza

Templeton hits the post

Sandaza then has a great run and deserves a goal

His shot is scuffed and drifts past the post

Aird does well coming on as a substitute

Robbie Crawford also enters the fray but really no time to do much

Wee worry at the end with Perry leaving the field returns minutes later

Let us hope he is okay cause he plays well again today despite goals conceded

Montrose losing to Annan and QP drawing with Peterhead today

Means Gers are now 19 points clear at the top of the table sfl d3

Some superb forward play today

Sandaza played superb and fact he did not score

Calimero – it is an injustice

Cooper Templeton ever dangerous

Shiels settling back into the side with a quiet but effective display

And Little

Well what do I know – 3 goals and an excellent showing

Next game a week tomorrow up at Peterhead

Rangers 3 Clyde 0 SFL D3 Dec 12

It was bitterly cold yesterday as Rangers played Clyde at Ibrox

An impressive 47.5K crowd taking their seats

Before kick off we got treated to a cracking visual display from the Blue Order in the Govan Stand

Celebrating 10 years of support they have given to the club

The weather might have got to the Rangers players though

Their start was as poor as I have witnessed this season

The team had lined up in familiar shape

The only change from Saturday’s match at Elgin City

– Ross Perry replacing Greek injury victim Anestis Argyriou

Big Jig did come close with a lovely turn and rasping shot

Keeper Barclay did well though by turning his effort over his bar

From the subsequent corner

Cribari was unlucky not to score with a snap shot again saved well by the Clyde keeper

Rangers were now taking more control of the match

Mckay constantly looking to thread passes in to his fellow forwards

Templeton too seemed to be everywhere

Always looking for openings and shots at goal

It was a wee bit of brilliance from him that gave Gers the lead

Lee Wallace played the ball into Templeton’s feet 35 yards from goal

Surrounded by Clyde players Templeton looked to be well marked

Out of nothing he plays a cheeky over head kick

Takes the Clyde team by surprise

The on running Wallace is now through in goal

The full back’s  finish is clinical

1 – nil Rangers 20 minutes on the clock

A few minutes later and Andy Little had to leave the park

Reports after the game suggest it was precautionary

Nevertheless, it gave Dean Shiels a chance to get back into the fray

The team’s momentum not disturbed by the enforced change

Shiels going into the false no 9

Templeton shifting from there and out to the right wing

Mid way through the half

Hutton was unlucky not score

His Jorg Albertz like shot whistling past the post

Before half time Templeton had bamboozled Clyde defenders with a 2nd piece of genius

This time, after dribbling past various tackles

He curled a truly superb shot into the keeper’s left hand side of the goal

2 – nil Rangers

It should have been 3 – 0 moments later when big Jig finished a neat move

Only for a late (and in my view incorrect) flag from Govan side linesman

The second half was more of the same

Good periods of interchanged passing by Rangers

Mixed with a general command of the game

Chances were limited but Rangers seemed comfortable within themselves

Clyde were rarely threatening so no danger of losing a goal

And an unnecessary nervy finish to the match

It was not until 15 minutes to go that the Gers supremacy did lead to a third goal

This time Mckay was the inspiration

Cutting in from the right hand side he played a lovely pass into the feet of Dean Shiels

The Northern Irishman

Who was getting some rough treatment from Clyde defenders

Turned superbly

And fired a low shot into the bottom corner of keeper Barclay’s net

Ranger 3 Clyde nil

Before the end Rangers had given Darren Cole and Robbie Crawford a runout

It was a good victory

Sees the Gers extend their lead at top of the table to 12 points

And a clean sheet for the goalie and defence

Alexander making one fine stop near the end after slackness had crept in to Rangers play

One criticism I would make is the keeper’s distribution

Why the constant need to punt it up the park (often out of play)

Can we not look to retain possession with playing the ball out from the back?

Certainly with Mckay, Shiels and Templeton in the team

The need for long ball football we were experiencing earlier in season has gone

Mckay had a quieter game

Yet he remained a constant threat

When he drifts inside and looks to pass the ball into the box

It is clear he has great vision that needs to be exploited

Shiels touch was clearly off during this game – expected given the lay off he has experienced because of injury

Still he manages to score a fine goal

I also thought Cribari had his best game in this match

While Hegarty looks like a Lee Wallace in the making

Perry still concerns me and I think if Rangers need to strengthen

Central defence is the most critical area

Young Lewis Macleod was actually my man of the match

Sponsors gave it to Templeton

Can understand why given the beauty of his play

However, MacLeod covers every blade of grass and never hides

Always looking for the ball in tight areas he is a credit to the club’s academy

More of him please

£10m transfer pot – who needs it just now?

With other youngsters coming through the system let’s box clever on this please

As we enter the new year Rangers are in good shape

It is thoroughly enjoyable going to watch them

Next stop is Queens Park at Hampden on Saturday

The amateurs probably going to end up as our biggest challengers to silver ware

So a victory is essential

Keep the momentum going

And of course there is also the small matter

of playing in front

of what will probably be the biggest away support to play this season

not only in Scotland

but across the globe

Truly remarkable

Rangers 3 Clyde 0 (Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow) 26th December 2012

RANGERS: Alexander; Hegarty, Perry, Cribari (Cole 78), Wallace; Little (Shiels 25), Hutton, Macleod, McKay; Templeton (Crawford 83); McCulloch.
SUBS: Currie, Sandaza.
GOALS: Wallace 20, Templeton 38, Shiels 76.
CLYDE: Barclay, Kane, Brown, Gray, Lamie, Hay (Neil 81), Fitzharris (Sweeney 72), Scullion, Watt, Gilfillan (McLuskey 86), McColm.
SUBS: Rajovic, Oliver.
REFEREE: Crawford Allan.
ATTENDANCE: 47,463.

Trequarista in Scotland? Rangers 3 Annan Athletic 0 SFL3 Dec 12

The term Trequarista is one used in various countries to reference an attacking midfield player

This player will normally

• Wear the no 10 shirt

• Sit in a free role between the midfield and attack

• Be positioned in the centre (but can operate effectively from either flank)

• Possess good vision, shooting, passing, crossing and dribbling ability

• Have an eye for scoring goals as well as providing assists and initiating attacking plays.

Not too much pressure then?

So who in the past can be classed as a top Trequarista?

Well for a start there is Diego Armando Maradona

Who has not heard of this guy?

The first truly recognized no 10 well before the Argentinian was –and I might be excused from any accusation of bias – Arsenal Alex James

In terms of adulation we can also think of Roma’s Francesco Totti as a famous no 10

Others who fit the criteria?

Well staying on an Italian theme is Roberto Baggio

Then there is the great frenchman Zinedine Zidane (Zizou)

Brazil’s Ronaldinho

And England’s David Beckham

Top of the list though must fall within this list of great players of the past

Edison Arantes do Nascimento – Pele

Players today who now (or with previous clubs) wear the famous shirt number and play(ed) this offensive role ?

Kaka, Robinho, Messi, Fabregas, Rooney and Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero (Atletico)

An illustrious group of players indeed

Rangers 3 Annan Athletic 0 SFL Dec 12

Tonight with Rangers in their SFL match vs Annan Athletic at Ibrox Stadium

David Cooper Templeton Rangers wore the no 10 for Rangers

Normally played out wide (left or right)

In the absence of Dean Shiels he played the trequarista role

And to great effect

Almost 43k supporters watching at Ibrox I am sure will agree to this

2 goals (both from shots outside the box) in what ended up a 3 – 0 victory

Andy Little scoring the other goal

Throughout the game DCT offered

* Great link up play

* Good running on and off the ball

* A Fine array of passing

* Excellent vision

* And all the technique in the world

Plus of course goals

What is encouraging for Rangers supporters though tonight is DCT was not in my mind the best player on the park

That accolade again must go to young Lewis MacLeod

Going back to the Italian theme

This young boy – 18 years of age – is turning into a real “Regista”

Deep lying midfielder to the uninitiated

The new Pirlo of Scotland – ahhh only joking

He needs to develop his long distance passing and take a crazy penalty or two before that match can be made

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmQ2mugd2VQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyYRhoDAVg

The youngster’s positioning, decision making, coverage, industry, tackling, creativity and what ever else was fantastic

Hence why he has along with Jig and the goalie been our only ever presents in team this season

Where this lad ends up – with a wind of fortune behind him – is anyone’s guess

A better prospect in Scotland for the role he plays?

No way!

A few other pointers from tonight’s SFL3 match

1. Playing DCT and Mckay in the same team worked well.

Although I would look to accommodate a fit Shiels in the team it should not be at the expense of Barry boy

2. A crowd of just under 43K on a Tuesday night just before xmas was exceptional

The supporter loyalty of the Rangers has no equal

3. I think Andy Little deserves a chance at centre forward

There are a number of reasons for this

He is probably the most mobile and natural forward we have

Playing in this role frees up the right berth allowing for DCT/ Mckay to be played together with Shiels

Avoids a lazy tendancy for lumping high balls as we have a want to do say when Fran or KK are in the team

4. The ref tonight – Mr. Paul Robertson – completely out of his depth

The penalty and red card against Wallace was shocking

The impending suspension thaat will form from this decision for Lee needs to surely be appealed by the club via Mr Lunny and the SFA

5. How does Ally fit Black back into this side ?

An interesting question

Hutton and MacLeod look more suited to the 4-(2)-3-1 formation Ally pursues

Whether it is commitment, ability, form or suitability to the new surroundings

I see no reason for Black to be fast tracked back into the side at the expense of either youngster

Most notably Hutton

6. 61% of the ball, 14 corners, 20 goal attempts (11 on target) all positive

How we managed to comit more fouls than the visitors is beyond me

Never mind

Maybe Mr Robertson can explain

7. On a final positive

Well done Charles Green on the successful share issue

I have no idea what Rangers fans contributed and what institutions ended up putting in the kitty

Bottom line is you did what you said you would

No doubt Sellick bloggers are already looking to belittle the good works

who cares?

We are ever vigilant to the pathetic rubbish spouted from Thomson, Mc three names, Haggerty, Speirs, and McConville plus others

PS: In no way in the completion of this post am I suggesting that DCT is as good as Pele et al

The illustrious names were only used to show the greatness of the position and some of the players who have played it

Rangers do through the circumstances of the last year or so have an opportunity to develop individual and collective youth

They seem to be grasping this nettle

Long may it continue

In 3 / 4 years

A Rangers team predominantly made up of youth academy players

With a good wee bit of first team experience strutting their stuff in European football would be a dream

Oh and yes I do know DCT did not come through Auchenhowie for the smart arses out there