A heavy defeat in a derby match is always hard to take.
That is true across Planet Football.
Obviously, it is crucial how the collective come together and cohere afterwards.
The last thing that should happen is for the group to select a scapegoat.
This is especially true for Sevco as goats and Ibrox could have an unfortunate history.
Therefore, I was pleased to learn that in the immediate aftermath of the three-nil mauling from Celtic that beleaguered fullback Borna Barišić was comforted by none other than the in house PR superhero.
DUPMAN told him to keep his chin up in a touching moment of ecumenism.
I’m sure that the Catholic Croat appreciated the support enunciated to him in lyrical Ulsturr Scatch.
Everyone Anyone FC, truly heartwarming.
Of course, it was also a time for some tactical home truths.
I’m told that Mr Van Bronckhorst and his assistants had a sit-down with the Director of Fantasy and the Serious Professional in the hours after the match.
Unfortunately, this dignified conclave was gate-crashed by two folks who are not members of the football department.
Sadly, there were allegations of cowardice laid at Giovanni’s vanquished charges by these uninvited chaps.
Here the man himself uses another “C” Word.
One of the Dutchman’s assistants pointed out that the gaffer had “ his hands tied behind his back”.
This, I’m told, was a reference to the loan deals that I have already reported here.
I’m now fully convinced that if Amad Diallo is fit and available for selection, then he MUST play.
The folks at Manchester United have even provided instructions about where the young Ivorian will play depending on the starting formation.
I’m told that the Sevco coaching staff have been given the youngster’s position in the following setups:
4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 4-2-2-2, and 3-4-3.
The kid will essentially be on the right-wing in all of these systems.
I’m convinced that the chap from Turin must also play.
My information is that two directors are covering the costs of his loan deal.
Now, footie experts assure me that the injury-prone son of Cymru can only play as a Ten.
Consequently, someone like Joe Aribo would have to drop out of the starting XI.
I hope that Aaron enjoyed the show at Parkhead.
He will undoubtedly be itching to join battle in midfield against Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley, and Celtic’s masked superhero captain.
I do wonder if the well paid Welshman will be fit for Sunday when Sevco host Robbie Neilson’s ensemble of talented synchronised hammer throwers.
There will inevitably be some media focus on John Souttar.
Next season, he will be playing his football at Ibrox as part of the home team.
The thing is, he would have been in the light blue of Sevco this weekend if Hearts had received a fee of £500k.
Instead, they needed to splash out on a vanity project to deflect from the quietly efficient business that was happening across the city.
As ever, the smoke and mirrors worked well enough on the credulous klanbase.
That is until Mr Van Bronckhorst’s lads faced the best team in the country.
Ange’s Bhoys now have the first of 14 cup finals to play on Sunday.
I reckon that is how he will be framing it for his cohesive focused group.
Perhaps Mr Gerrard got his timing just right when he said to himself, “let’s go”.
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Many of the wantaway personnel at the Bigotdome have just seen their alleged worth slashed by their performances on Wednesday night. They should now be called the can’tgetaways. HH
Good to see dynamic exciting football back at Celtic mixed with a great team spirit. It will be crisis off the radar if rangers drop points against hearts and Celtic take all 3 at Motherwell. I think their panic buy will be lucky to be on the park into double figures, he has nothing to prove and more money than he will ever spend.
Off topic but I would like to add to a tweet I read elsewhere. Having received a late ticket and not been at a game for a long time, I took my seat with the initial feelings of I wish there was someone to shout at.
I left with a completely different feeling. The atmosphere was electric and we didn’t have to drown out the poison. (Well for one half anyway cause they’d probably have left at half time)
It’s was a party !!!! Honestly …. Long may it continue. As a Club we should not want our brand to be associated with them, in any way.
I was at the game and agree entirely with Zeddy. Rangers started this no away fans nonsense and it backfired spectacularly on Wednesday. Why should we wait to see what they do in the next game before taking further action. Let’s tell them now there is no place in our ground for them. There is no ‘old frim’.
Sandesh Gulhane, Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care is a “Rangers” supporter, how ironic is that, and he wants a parliamentary motion to acknowledge “Rangers” as the second most successful club in the world. He is a Hindu. He just doesn’t get it on so many levels.
To be fair, Hindus believe in reincarnation. They have a very different understanding of the concept of death from the rest of us.
It’s hardly surprising that a Scottish Tory – a contradiction in terms – would want to praise the second best. They’re used to never being the best at anything.
The assessment of Hearts players was accurate but the one they borrowed from Everton looks a real handful
Most tellingly in recent weeks – and blatantly obvious on Wednesday night –
is that the CFC squad has developed a great, never give up, collective spirit,
whereas sevco look like a bunch of strangers – who would rather be somewhere else?
Seems like an unhappy dressing room at Ibrox? 🙂
I see that man utd kid getting dropped on a technicality…
Rangers don’t play in these formations
4-2-3, 4-4-3, 3-4-3 etc
Man utd have failed to grasp that sevco usually play a
4-6-3 or 3-6-4 etc.
You need to factor in the 2 extra wingers and extra midfielder they have, you can spot them, they’re the ones in black.
They have made a complete hash of the January window in my opinion .
It’s been fairly evident all Season that the defence they’ve been reliant on now for 3 Seasons was in dire need of quality replacements.
McGregor at 40 is now past his best.
Tavernier is a poor defender ,flatters to deceive with a terrific penalty count and a decent delivery at the other end of the Park bit as Jota proved he’s mince when faced with a proper winger.
Goodson whilst being solid has his limitations and looks like he’s already signed off Ala Édouard and Christie last Season.
Barasic like Tavpen on the opposite side is not a great defender but a decent wingback when he’s confident enough to go up the Park.
Abada will have given him nightmares on Wednesday and McGregors growling voice the night terrors to follow them.
A shite bag none the less 😂
Thing is if anyone thinks Souttar will be a step up from Goldson they might want to go watch the Giakoumakis goal v Hearts again.
He’s no even 75% match fit and left him for dead in the box.
The fact however they failed to pay the measly £5-600k to release Souttar in itself wants questioning given the “reported” £12m Evernton supposedly paid them?
Undisclosed fee. 😏
Hetate not fit enough yet , kyogo and Rogic not even playing…. magnificent performance 👌
They simply cannot afford this year’s league title investments by the sounds of things. On top of a £100 mill in losses from day one. Player trading has been reluctant at best. Either they do not know what they’re doing or nobody knows what they are doing? At least one or the other.
Good.
Cheers Phil.
Matt O’Riley is playing beneath his level at Celtic, such is his potential.
Borna Barisic was left wanting on Wednesday. My information is that part of this is because he wasn’t meant to be at sevco this late in the season (same Goldson).
I don’t think this meant they “downed tools” but the margins psychologically in sport are tiny.
With regards these two (I’ll go against mainstream views on this website and say) talented defenders, my understanding is the valuation from outside ibrox did not meet the valuation from inside. It must be remembered that someone is worth what someone else will pay… Hence why I can’t blame a footballer for accepting £x/week. We all have families. But my summation is that the suits in ibrox expected so much more in over January than they received. This, perhaps, is the chastening lesson all at sevco towers still need to learn. In my view they have 2 sellable assets: Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo. £10 million for both would be decent, in today’s market that could grow to. 15 million. Unfortunately for them, sevco value them much higher. Similarly Kent who would struggle to tempt teams down south to part with 5 million.
Grim reading for the button counters.
More likely to be post it notes with I owe you written on them than actual buttons methinks 😉👍🏼
Be interesting to see if any more Equity Confetti is procured in the next few weeks given the lack of outgoing by comparison to incoming 🤷🏻♂️
Must be the only Club in the wurruld to secure a record transfer fee and keep it undisclosed 😉.
Evernton Accoint due out at the end of next month should clear that one up 😬
Do Rangers have button counters? If so they must have had a heart attack at the prospect of Ramsey being added to the payroll.
Great piece of writing, loved the assessment of Hearts players, 👌🍀