Ange’s Celtic up to second 2 pts behind Rangers who drop more points.
First win for Celtic at Aberdeen in 7 years.
First win for Celtic at Aberdeen in 7 years.
Steven Gerrard & Rangers
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Not making the CL group stages definitely affected their plans
[article]Rangers signed only one player, Juninho Bacuna, on a fee-paying deal this summer, while three more joined on free transers.
Celtic meanwhile spent over £20million as six players arrived at Parkhead for seven-figure sums.[/article]
[article]Rangers signed only one player, Juninho Bacuna, on a fee-paying deal this summer, while three more joined on free transers.
Celtic meanwhile spent over £20million as six players arrived at Parkhead for seven-figure sums.[/article]
Affected their plans? As in past tense? It shouldn’t have affected their plans last summer surely? They could’ve got some business done well before they played that CL qualifier with Malmo.
Edit: They also bought in Lundstrum and Sakata on frees.
And tbf to Celtic they did have to raise funds from selling Christie Edouard etc
Edit: They also bought in Lundstrum and Sakata on frees.
And tbf to Celtic they did have to raise funds from selling Christie Edouard etc
Yet they’re still top.
Over to Rangers to grab the opportunity
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[article]Reigning champions, top of the table, and just one league defeat in 50 games. Yet Rangers are experiencing turbulence in their bid to hold on to the Scottish title.
Steven Gerrard's invincibles of last season have given their rivals fresh hope with an uneven start in the Premiership, where a trio of teams are within striking distance of the top.
As Rangers head to face Motherwell on Sunday, should their fans be concerned by the season so far?
From invincible to vulnerable
A tapering off was perhaps inevitable after the incredible standards of Rangers' invincible title success.
A near-impenetrable defence and perfect home record were foundations of that triumph as the Ibrox club won the league undefeated and by a yawning 25-point margin.
Gerrard cautioned in pre-season of a "mentality change" being required with his team going from hunters to hunted.
Yet their stability has faltered with nine dropped points in their opening round of fixtures - just three fewer than the entirety of last season.
Their unbeaten Premiership streak was halted after 40 games by Dundee United at Tannadice. And while Rangers' proud home record still stands - they lasted tasted league defeat at Ibrox in March 2020 - they have followed 21 consecutive wins by drawing three of their last four.
There are, of course, mitigating factors. A Covid outbreak at the end of August depleted the squad and forced Gerrard into self-isolation, while injuries have also caused disruption.
But few Rangers players can claim to have reached previously levels of performance or consistency, with the collective performing in fits and bursts.
Opposition who couldn't get a sniff of goal against Gerrard's side are now capitalising on vulnerabilities - Rangers have fallen behind nine times this season, eight when conceding the opener.
Rangers' defence has kept three clean sheets, compared to nine at the same stage a year ago, and their 10 goals conceded is equal to the amount lost in the previous 33-match regular campaign.
Uncertainty surrounds the future of Connor Goldson, who is free to speak to clubs in January, while fellow key centre-back Filip Helander - the Old Firm match-winner in late August - is not due back from a knee injury until next month.
Jack Simpson was signed from Bournemouth in February to provide quality competition but has made just one start and one appearance off the bench this season.
Kent a major loss amid 'issues to address'
Rangers aren't playing to their capabilities at the other end of the pitch either. Their 19-goal tally is seven short of last season's equivalent and Gerrard has called for more ruthlessness from his team, particularly the forwards.
Colombia striker Alfredo Morelos, having reached the milestone of 100 Rangers goals, and Kemar Roofe are the club's top league scorers on four - three fewer then the league's leading marksmen - with conversion rates of just 18% and 25%.
The creative spark of Ryan Kent has been a major loss since the Englishman was confined to the sidelines in mid-September with a damaged hamstring.
And long-term absentee Ryan Jack - yet to kick a ball this season - has deprived the defence of a steely protective shield. The fact both players are nearing a return augers well for Rangers' ambitions.
Gerrard has dismissed the notion that the pressure of defending the club's first title in a decade is weighing his players down. He acknowledges Rangers have "issues to fix and address", but remains bullish.
"From an attacking point of view we need to have more variety and give opposition teams more to think about," Gerrard said.
"It's an absolute pleasure to work with a team that's lost one league game in 50. I haven't heard or seen that written on the outside. So I think sometimes it's a case of perception.
"From the inside I see a group of boys that are willing to work hard and fight as hard as they can. I have every confidence that we can move forward."[/article]
They are but for how much longer? Almost conceded as many this season as they did the entire of last.
Pretty woeful in Europe as well so there is some apprehension amongst their fans right now that the dominance is shifting away.
What are you talking about “the dominance is shifting away”?
It’s Scotland - the lowest they’ll finish is 2nd.
If they win their game in hand today - they’ll be 4 points clear at the top.
Sorry ignore the "1.", device playing up.
I mean from last season where they won at a canter, battering teams left right and centre and this season it's left them and more has gone to Celtic and other
teams that have come from nowhere....Hearts having a great season.
Yeah, but Ange couldn’t exactly make Celtic any worse-“ - that would have required effort.
Hearts (my Scottish team) are having a great start to the season - but It’ll turn to shit soon enough and the Old Firm teams will finish 20 points clear of everyone else as usual.
Tavernier, Ranger's TAA
Finished 6-1. Battered them.
A great away European win for Ange’s Celtic.
Still tough to qualify but given themselves a shot.
Still tough to qualify but given themselves a shot.
Haha what? Against the kicking boys of the group? 0-0-4 to date and will most likely finish 0-0-6.
Dreamie has a different definition of “great” than everyone else.
Ryan Kent's return will be a boost - he's been out for 2 months.
He went the opposite direction when grading Klopp though. An interesting rating system.
I think it’s because his jinxy powers do not work in Scotland - even Dreamie can’t stop Old Firm teams finishing either first or second.
It’s like introducing a blood sucking vampire to a horde of zombies.
Gerrard linked with Aston Villa vacancy - probably cos Purslow is there.
[article]Purslow, Liverpool's former managing director, has previously lauded Gerrard's credentials to become a top football manager.
Back in May 2018, before Gerrard was announced as the new Gers manager, Purslow tipped him to put Rangers "back on the map" and insisted his reputation could be key in restoring the club to former glory.
"Ten years ago Rangers were in a major European final and the trials and tribulations of that club since then are well documented," he told Sky Sports in 2018.
"Frankly, disappearing from the top table of European football where this once great club proudly sat, to associate with a person of the reputation of Steven Gerrard puts them back on the map.
"Even if they don't succeed in confirming the appointment, I may say. And on another tough season and another terrible Old Firm result let's just hope that wasn't part of the calculation, even being linked with Steven."
Villa want to make an appointment before the club host Brighton at Villa Park after the November international break.[/article]
[article]Purslow, Liverpool's former managing director, has previously lauded Gerrard's credentials to become a top football manager.
Back in May 2018, before Gerrard was announced as the new Gers manager, Purslow tipped him to put Rangers "back on the map" and insisted his reputation could be key in restoring the club to former glory.
"Ten years ago Rangers were in a major European final and the trials and tribulations of that club since then are well documented," he told Sky Sports in 2018.
"Frankly, disappearing from the top table of European football where this once great club proudly sat, to associate with a person of the reputation of Steven Gerrard puts them back on the map.
"Even if they don't succeed in confirming the appointment, I may say. And on another tough season and another terrible Old Firm result let's just hope that wasn't part of the calculation, even being linked with Steven."
Villa want to make an appointment before the club host Brighton at Villa Park after the November international break.[/article]
Or EBJT. One Villa fan (season ticket holder) I was speaking to earlier today said a lot of them think Smith's been unlucky but added that things haven't been the same since Terry left.
I actually think this would be a smart move by Gerrard, if has no loyalty to Rangers.
Villa is a decent side and could turn around quickly and give Gerrard the management experience at full PL speed.
If successful, it would be perfect platform to move to us next.
Would be kind of shitty to Rangers though.
It would, but I don't think Gerrard should make the move anyway. Well though Rangers have done under him, managing in the SPL is nowhere near as difficult as doing so in the Premier League. IMO taking the Villa job would be premature at this stage in Gerrard's managerial career and could well end badly for both parties.
Nah, he's too busy on Twitter calling peoples wives pigs where he doesn't fancy them... those he does, he slides into their DM's
Imo it’s a balancing act though. He could easily overstay to where Celtic become competitive again and Rangers fall slightly then he’s just the guy who can’t hack it in the two horse race and nobody wants him in England. Maybe that’s your point though, that he needs to go through these things and come out the other end to be ready for the step up?
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