BBC Home

Explore the BBC

New visitors: Create your membership
Returning members: Sign in

31 comments

user rating: 5 star

Rangers 1 - 0 Otherteam

by books4u (U2094445) 14 August 2007
Date:
14 August 2007
Venue:
Ibrox
Competition:
Scottish Premier
Attendance:
48,000
Player of the match:
Carlos Cueller
comment on the article

What a strange night at Ibrox. Usually the Scottish temperament is to go for the jugular. This time, possibly due to the infancy of the season, and the pedigree of Red Star, Rangers resisted. And how.

Two evenly matched sides contested a counter punch affair, a boxing match of a game. As the match progressed, one wondered who the 0-0 scoreline would benefit most. This Rangers team are proving hard to score against, and yet they don’t find it easy to break down any opposition. However, there remains the old adage that if you don’t lose a goal you don’t lose a game. This continues to be Rangers best weapon and indeed opportunity in the return leg. However, should things alter, and Red Star score, then they still have the knowledge that one goal will render the opposition needing a minimum of 3 goals to progress. For all their frugality, Red Star barely look capable of more than an occasional foray on the Rangers goal. Macgregor is beginning to look ever more comfortable. It would therefore appear advantage Rangers, who can also point towards further team awareness and cohesion as the weeks pass. The team is evolving and this unit display no lack of effort or togetherness; this could prove their strongest weapon. Personally, I felt that Red Star were less threatening than Zeta, but more defensively adept, streetwise in Glasgow speak. This game is not over, but if memory serves me, the great Liverpool and Notts Forest Teams of European glory founded their progress on such solidity. That is not to say that Rangers are European Cup Winners, but surely they merit entry onto the bigger stage, and would not be overrun by anyone. For once, we may see the advantages of taking a leaf out of an English book, albeit one from the past. In my view Rangers will prove to have done enough to progress. This would be a magnificent achievement for Walter Smith, a testament to his nerve, experience and know how. One could argue that a more aggressive approach may have see pt2

comment on this article | alert a moderator | send to a friend

Latest 10 comments

view all 31 comments

Read members' comments or add your own
comment by RightSaidFred (U8900967)

posted Aug 15, 2007

Yeah, in normal circumstances I'd hate to see Rangers just playing with one up front. But I think Walter got the tactics spot on last night. Kept things tight as hell for 60 minutes, then introduced Nova and Cousin with the hope of snatching something, which we did. A goal conceded last night would have been a disaster. Rangers won't score many over there, so it had to be tight last night.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by The Last Don (U7281419)

posted Aug 15, 2007

In Belgrade RSB will have to attack the game which will leave Rangers with gaps to exploit. The way our defence is looking so far this season I feel comfortable that we could weather any attack they can throw at us....just as long as Broadfoot isnt at left back again!!!! decent enough player...just not a left back.
I also think that we need to try something different in midfield as Bazza, Hemdani and Thompson dont work together....but which one do you drop?!?!? yikes

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by GARYGEE6 (U9373411)

posted Aug 15, 2007

thompson he has not been as impressive as the other 2 have this season

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by DadoTheFrazman (U6366932)

posted Aug 15, 2007

I'd be tempted to go for a very similar team and try and grind out another result. We'll have time for pretty football when we get to the group stages. Now we must keep it tight.

I'd go fo:

---------------McGregor-------------

Hutton-----Cuellar----Weir-----Papac

----------Hemdani-----Thomson-------

Novo----------Ferguson------McCulloch

----------------Cousin---------------

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by BearHeaven (U8872689)

posted Aug 15, 2007

I agree Frazman.

I would swap Novo for Whitaker, keeping us a bit more solid on the right, bringing Novo on in the last 30 again if we need a change of emphasis.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by sharkaca (U5334331)

posted Aug 15, 2007

I agree with most of the comments, one thing I would like to ask is, can you see any special in Demarcus Beasley, he doesn't seem direct enough for me, granted he has pace in abundance but he seems a bit apprehensive sometimes, last night I was continually willing him to hit the byeline, but all too often the ball was played backwards. Maybe it'll come with time and games.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by supergers (U903466)

posted Aug 15, 2007

So first of all this is the most civilised conversation I've seen on one of these forums for ages.
Right last nights game - it needed to be like that. So what if we play boring football for two games as long as we get there. Its a means to an ends.
Hemdani-Thomson-Ferguson debate - this has been on my mind since January. I don't think Walt will play all three and he shouldn't unless its tricky European games. There will be plenty of games this season to keep all three happy and fresh, if we're in the Champs League.
Demarcus Beasley - He reminds me of Lovenkrands. Loads of pace and can beat a player sometimes, just don't ask him to go to the byeline as he can't cross a ball. Good counter attacker will be useful but won't be a world beater.
Broadfoot - Should not be allowed to play LB. Good CB though (we have loads now). In the absence of Smith and Papac why wasn't Murray used. He has slightly more poise and is more adept at pushing forward.
Frazman - Agree ur team is spot on for the return leg but with BearHeavan's suggested change. Novo is our super sub just hope he doesn't get bored with it cos I think he's smashing.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by 16-ImUreCousin-90 (U9362734)

posted Aug 15, 2007

I agree, agree! ure team selection is spot on only hopefully smithy is available for LB I know papac is adapting but I loved Smith on form especially on his european nights! Come on the rangers and good 1-1 result for the Cellic - great co-efficient for the tartan army! MOAN THE GERS !!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by euroglory (U7723776)

posted Aug 17, 2007

blah, blah, blah

Red Star 3 - Rangers Zip!

The english are funny smiley

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by papasunday (U8885070)

posted Aug 17, 2007

What a usefull comment by euroglory! if memory serves me red star only had one shot inside our box (and a tame one at that)and were reduced to 20-30 yarders. with 6 clean sheets in a row (counting the chelsea game) they gave me no real concern that they are capable of scoring any more than one. I think keep it tight for sixty then put a spot of pressure on them and rangers will be the victors.

add comment | complain about this comment

view all 31 comments | back to the top

Comment on this article

Sorry, you can only contribute to 606 during opening hours. These are 0900-2300 UK time, seven days a week, but may vary to accommodate sporting events and UK public holidays.

RATE THIS ARTICLE

Rate Breakdown

  • 5 66.67%
    2 votes
  • 4 33.33%
    1 votes
  • 3
    0 votes
  • 2
    0 votes
  • 1
    0 votes

average rating:
4.67 from 3 votes

Sign in if you want to vote

MY RELATED LINKS

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

RELATED BBC LINKS

BBC Scotland Sport
More on this team at BBC Scotland Sport