Overall, I cannot say hand on heart that Gers deserved to win the game. Despite our possession stats and our late pressure the Celtic defence were well organized and repelled everything we threw at them. Celtic also remained a threat on the counter-attack.
Our main tactic from open play was high balls into the box looking for our (wee) strikers who were generally well marked by their (considerably bigger) centre-backs. We showed plenty of effort but not enough quality, guile, or variation.
For me yesterday illustrated - again - two important factors: 1) when Morelos is unavailable we have no-one who carries the same threat, no comparable back-up and 2) McGregor is no longer reliable enough to be our number one keeper....brilliant saves spoiled by dozy moments in equal number
We have not had very successful transfer windows this season, and were particulary poor in January. The reasons for this were maybe complacency, or bad luck, or poor judgement by scouts/sporting director/management team, or simply a lack of funds. Whatever it was, we ended up with a reserve right wing-back, plus Sands and Diallo - none of them close to being first team regulars. Only Ramsey could, only recently, be classed as a decent addition to the first eleven. On the sales side we earned £12 mill for our reserve right back which was an excellent piece of business but sadly nothing close to that level of success on the acquisitions side.
League not over yet of course, but I hope our board now have a period of reflection and put all their energies into raising funds to strengthen our first eleven to offer a stiffer challenge to a resurgent Celtic. We knew they'd provide a new manager with sufficient funds to rebuild their squad. They've done that successfully and gone from shambles to probable champions in about 8 months. Let's hope we can respond as emphatically.
Observations on yesterday's performance
posted on 5/4/22
Confirmed Morelos is out for the season. Massive blow to our cup / EL chances. Quite possible he's played his last game for us now too.
posted on 6/4/22
Well isn't that just a damn shame 🙂
posted on 6/4/22
comment by WorkPermitPending (U1067)
posted 11 hours, 16 minutes ago
Confirmed Morelos is out for the season. Massive blow to our cup / EL chances. Quite possible he's played his last game for us now too.
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Doubt that very much.
He'll be at Ibrox next season.
The chances of him leaving were always slim. And that's what he will not be when he comes back for pre-season.
It will take him until Christmas to recover from a few months out. They'll con Rangers into an improved contract while he bloats in the sunshine.
posted on 6/4/22
“bloats”
posted on 6/4/22
He does have a serious problem with his weight. Its why bigger clubs haven't went near him.
posted on 6/4/22
comment by ukraine (U14278)
posted 45 seconds ago
He does have a serious problem with his weight. Its why bigger clubs can't get near him.
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Fixed
posted on 6/4/22
comment by ukraine (U14278)
posted 4 minutes ago
He does have a serious problem with his weight. Its why bigger clubs haven't went near him.
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great news, im more than happy to keep our best payers
posted on 6/4/22
*players
posted on 6/4/22
I read a comment on here, from someone in the know, saying Gers would have to rebuild this summer, as quite a few players contracts run down.
Google confirms: Scott Arfield, Leon Balogun Steven Davis, Amad Dialio, connor goldson, Alan McGregor, & Morelos (allegedly). Also Aaron Ramsay all end in 22.
If Morelos contract is running out, will you see Gio's team next season? Or can he keep this team together?
Would he want to? Who needs to stay/go?
Who are Gers scouting? I don't think you'll risk any big changes, except maybe a new No. 1. If Alf won't deal, you'll replace him I'm sure. It's this squad which has served you well in Europe. There's enough there to challenge, but you needed to strengthen, and didn't.
Can you afford to not sell Morelos, potentially missing out on the CL purse? Your fans won't accept a season without honours & a paltry transfer window. What's the Ger's point of view on it? Maybe an opportunity.
posted on 6/4/22
comment by council bin man (U21986)
posted 2 hours, 47 minutes ago
I read a comment on here, from someone in the know, saying Gers would have to rebuild this summer, as quite a few players contracts run down.
Google confirms: Scott Arfield, Leon Balogun Steven Davis, Amad Dialio, connor goldson, Alan McGregor, & Morelos (allegedly). Also Aaron Ramsay all end in 22.
If Morelos contract is running out, will you see Gio's team next season? Or can he keep this team together?
Would he want to? Who needs to stay/go?
Who are Gers scouting? I don't think you'll risk any big changes, except maybe a new No. 1. If Alf won't deal, you'll replace him I'm sure. It's this squad which has served you well in Europe. There's enough there to challenge, but you needed to strengthen, and didn't.
Can you afford to not sell Morelos, potentially missing out on the CL purse? Your fans won't accept a season without honours & a paltry transfer window. What's the Ger's point of view on it? Maybe an opportunity.
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Google get some credit