Home
Creators
Search Recent Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Flagship - VARy Hard To Take (Patreon)

Published:
2024-12-16 17:54:51
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Downloads

  • fship161224.mp3

Missing 1 full-res photo, 1 file, as this post has not yet been imported.

Content

Join David, Andy and Alan as they go through the events of Sunday.

Files

Previews only

Comments

Roderick Boyle

What Andy stated is quite right in supporters getting too fixated on what has been happening in the boardroom etc instead of on the park . I for one have felt that fans have jumped the gun in calling for the managers head several weeks ago , I think it has become quite apparent that having several players back , notably Hagi , Danilo and ‘blooding’ Igamane has allowed the manager to probably play the style of play he’s probably been wanting to play for some time , the old cliche of you can only pee with the ….. you’ve got. As for the penalty incident yesterday I was more concerned about missing a glaring chance to probably kill them off with, a four on one attack .

David Herd

I genuinely can't get my head around 2 VAR officials seeing that still image then deciding to do nothing. It's the clearest factual picture possible and it is 100% clear to anyone who knows the rules that it's a penalty. There can't be that level of incompetence or ignorance of the laws of the game. And they must have known that anybody seeing the image would know they had got it wrong. Cheats try not to get caught, it was impossible to get away with this one. Both officials can't ever be given this responsibility again, and the club must demand the audio is made public as well as the end of Muir and Connor's careers.

Rona Bluebell

About to go for a drive so will listen to this. First proper pod listen since yesterday. No matter what you say I’m thanking you in advance as yesterday was so hard to take. The thought of getting through this football pain without this wee community David and the rest of you have built is unimaginable. I know I’ll feel better in a few days but right now it’s bloody horrendous.

Billy McCormack

Cheating bastards! Fuck the sfa and fuck the spfl!

Graham McCallum

Just announced Rangers demand answers from the SFA

Alan Cowan

Our Captain is as soft as putty. He should be in the referees ear from the start. Gough never gave the refs a minute Unfortunately our current captain isn't worth the armband. He let McGregor influence Beaton to book Balogun after one tackle, Beaton had no intention of booking Balogun until that little turncoat got his ear. If Balogun isn't booked, he could have fouled Maeda for his goal without being sent off. Tavernier although fine, Balogun saved his arse numerous occasions. Maybe time we followed refs around Tesco's. Last comment would and should never happen

Graham McCallum

It can be all three reasons for the ref/var stuff. It’s sometimes cheating sometimes incompetence and sometimes fear of consequence. Rangers need to push push and keep pushing this agenda. They should be going to the other clubs because they suffer from it also

Billy McCormack

Septics 3rd goal shouldn't have stood it was a foul on Diamonde prior to their goal, another convenient miss from ref and VAR

James McSween

Passion and desire should be a given for any Rangers team. They shouldn’t be getting praise for leaving it all out there. Form in Europe and Domestically are separate. Regardless of how well we played we got beat from a winning position. New Chairman and CEO aren’t going to make us win or play better. Going by Premier Sports commentary VAR checked it.

Graham McCallum
>>158462774

VAR check everything around the goal area that’s not the point. The point is if they looked at it why didn’t they tell the ref it was in the box?

James Anderson

David, I do blame the referee. If VAR did not contact the referee, then the referee should ask VAR if he got it right. Also the Scottish league in a recent report had the toughest tackling in Europe, coincidentally we have the worst referees.

Hendi

They continually and insidiously pressure and challenge officials, and media. They continually challenge their authority and assert their dominance so often that it becomes easier to pretend not to notice minor Infringments in order to keep the peace. Much the same way a parent or teacher would for a difficult child. Officials end up just picking their battles with them and if it's minor, it's easier to let it slip. But over time what they are prepared to overlook has incrementally increased. The acceptance of Schmichael in the box for a couple of the penalties yesterday perfectly illustrates it. No real advantage gained, but a conscious dominance move, that goes without challenge.

Simon Botterill

To be just better at 'football', that horse has bolted I am afraid. It's not the 1990s with a balance of power push. Regardless of being a Scottish shit show, football is fundamentally based on intensity in it's basic form (stealing yards, ball back in play at goal kicks before the actual ball is out etc etc). This is what Gio could not adapt to, his era in Scotland was well gone and he was not willing to accept doing the extras to counter the lack of standards. We will not compete in Scotlish football with out us changing the collective approach beyond technical ability. Tav must go as captain, our players must be drilled in game management (where are the ex pros who get it) and the club must be relentless in tackling this bias /corruption whilst improving the squad. This is so basic. We have spoken on here on environment differences. Europe is a level playing field, Scotland is not, attack that challenge, stop turning up thinking is going to be managed for you (i.e. Butland's approach V Schmeichal by any means approach).

Alastair McGeoch

In keeping of the theme of perspective. On the refs, it’s been clear for a number of seasons now there is a “it’s Rangers” lens applied to decisions. We’ve had numerous game changing (and title changing in the case of Postecoglues first season) decisions made. We know they’re reffed differently because Calum McGregor said it himself last season in trying explain why they’re shite in Europe. Clement needs to understand that giving the refs the benefit of the doubt will not work. Dessers, can’t pin the loss on him not taking a penalty but I can’t see how he justifies a place in the matchday squads going forward. Our whole system breaks down when he plays and if we can’t rely on him on the big moments I can’t see why we don’t have someone from the youth team who can be at least coached to lead a press (same for dowell) if it’s truly a rebuild exile the dross (like you did to Cantwell and Hagi) and blood more young players. Finally, tactics. 6 old firm loses losing the same goals every time. It was great to see a no surrender spirit but that’s a bare minimum at Rangers. Tactically, he is rolling the dice in these games going toe to toe with them and coming up short. For me, he has to beat them on the 2nd.

Alan Cowan
>>158464294

Absolutely bang on. It's grown arms and legs. Started in the banter years and has grown into way of life for SFA and officiating with the cheerleaders in the Media carrying the Baton. Reptiles like Leckie and Jackson pedal their agenda.

Allan

The naivety of the highest-order gents. Of course, it's corruption, not simply incompetence. If it were only incompetence, these things would even out. They don't.

Jim McCutcheon

Thanks guys great pod we are going forward slowly but improving 👍

Scott Corral

The second goal we conceded was particularly bad and even before the 2 errors mentioned from Raskin and Balogun. Some amount of ball watching in the lead up to it.

Paul Kerr

Thanks guys. 4 on 1 was where we lost it from a performance aspect. Regarding the penalty call. I get the sentiment about incompetence caused by pressure... I really do and that's Beaton every time, he's terrified, but these VAR guys have form. They've cost us goals before for and against in this fixture. I'm convinced they did it because they were sure they'd get away with it and they did. The cup's across the city where they wanted it no matter what happens now. Time to fight fire with fire. Highlight everything, no matter how trivial. "Not the Rangers way" was a fine mantra and something I myself used to believe. Football is a different landscape now, it was admirable when we didn't have the exposure of wall to wall media coverage. We need a modern mindset even if it goes against the grain. As you gentlemen said it's tough enough to overcome a financial disadvantage and we're trying to do it with one arm tied behind our back if we can't get a fair game.

Alan Weir
>>158465216

Simple question for conspiracy theorists: why did the “shadowy league figures”, with all of their corrupt power, not ensure Celtic win 10 in a row? This was the Tims number one ambition and it didn’t happen.

HammerHead
>>158465216

I think the officials are scared to give any big decision that is remotely contentious they know the media will tear into them and even physical attacks on their homes and maybe even themselves.

Andrew Meldrum

There's actually 2 other ref decisions I haven't seen back but looked odd at the time. Just before Diomande equalised, he was brought down on the corner of the box. Clear foul but Beaton brought it back for an earlier foul in the box on Scales. In what world does a ref see a foul on a defender in his box, and let play go on? Then, Kyogo's booking, which looked a nasty one. He blew the foul, called Kyogo over, then stood for 15 secs with his finger in his ear - then booked him. That's not how it's supposed to work. He is meant to book Kyogo, then pause and wait while VAR decides if he made a serious error. He doesn't get to blow the foul, then ask VAR for the colour of card.

Marky Philpott

▪️Penalty against Scales missed ▪️Foul on Diomande missed (Kuhn goal) ▪️Sima goal chopped off ▪️Missed Johnson handball (pen) ▪️Dessers goal chopped off ▪️Roofe goal chopped off ▪️Morelos goal chopped off Can anybody think of a contentious decision that went Rangers way? Only thing I ever really see them say is "he should have seen red for persistent fouling" so that's the contentious decisions that they have had. It's a very easy thing to claim without actually having to back it up and I think that is why we regularly hear it from them. Oh and I seen a John Hartson goal from over 22 years ago that was ruled offside despite him being onside on X today in justification for the decisions yesterday. Only really seen the foul on Diomande for Kuhns goal, quite unbelievable Kuhn is completely free because Dio is on the ground from the result of an accidental trip (still a foul). Remember Dessers goal were VAR brought the play 20 SECONDS to chop the goal. I am fucking sick of us getting absolutely shafted anytime our players step up to the plate. Some very very close Old Firms the last two and a half years and quite amazing that Rangers don't have a single win despite how close alot of the games have been.. or is it? Rangers need to grow some fucking balls and call these bastards out!!

Latimer
>>158469707

Correct and both Rangers early bookings were VAR instigated as well,

Allan
>>158465216

I don't disagree. That's why it's corrupt and not incompetence. They arrive at this due to the real actions of one club, their fans, a culpable media and a sporting body willing to allow it. The whole game in Scotland is a bust. And until Rangers act accordingly it won't change.

HammerHead

There's a reason there was no Scottish referees at the last major international tournament totally incompetent.

John F

Our issues with refereeing decisions goes back a long way, but the rot really set in when Gerrard was here and the way Morelos and to a lesser extent Ryan Jack was treated. Instead of highlighting the stuff that Morelos retaliated to, we castigated the player. At least half of his sending offs were because he retaliated to something that happened, off the ball, to him first. Yes, he should have learned not to react, but we should have been highlighting the stuff happening to him as well, and taking a far stronger stance in defending our players. We have tried to play the nice guy for too long, and accepted this shit show refereeing for too long. It's time that we as a club, and support, started shouting as loud as that lot do, instead of meekly accepting it. The game has changed. It will not change back. We need to learn how to play it better.

Calum Robertson

Surely Dowell has to go in January, Clement is prepared to give the youngsters a run in Europe McKinnon Benfica, Lovelace Steaua, Rice Nice and Fraser Spurs but hardly ever in the domestic fixtures. Much more beneficial in the long run

Rose Mcloughlin

Thanks guys..that was a hard one to do...our heads are held high and our hearts bursting with pride....a friends son alas a celtic fan burst into tears when they won...Mostly due to relief I think.

David Innes
>>158469879

In the game with the Johnson handball the ref also shat out of giving 2 clear 2nd yellows. The list is endless

David Innes
>>158474541

Dowell and Dessers have to go in January. A few weeks ago I would have said Tav too but he’s turned it round. I’d also be open to letting McAusland go out on loan. We need to bring in at least 1 centre half and a striker

Jim Milne

In my entire life as a Rangers fan everytime, even during 9IAR when we are close in the league they roll out ex-players, managers and the media to run a campaign promoting their so called referee injustices. I don't believe for one minute they think referees are hard on them and easy on us, nor do their fans. They know exactly what they're doing and it works. FFS, their ultras post pictures of cops all over social media. They'd dox a referee and his family instantly after the game too if they lost. I'm not surprised refs are scared to award decisions against them. Since VAR I think 80% of our penalties came because of VAR and the ref not awarding them directly. Andy's point about paranoia, etc. I listen to these pods be ause you're all sound reasonable fans, and although biased you'll call it out when we get a decision we shouldn't. This is a decades long campaign of influencing the authorities and I'm not sure it can be fixed in the short term.

Alan Weir
>>158465216

So why, Allan, with a whole season to get the corruption in place, did “they” not manage to sort the one thing in the last 20 years that Celtic most desired?

Spoon

Gents appreciate the discussion on the pod. I have no interest in the conspiracy stuff that some fans want to buy into, we spent years laughing at them for that type of stuff I just can’t and won’t get involved in it. I accept the point made by David around it being easier to give decisions against us than for us. The problem we have is that there is no media outlet or channel that would support us or challenge that, you only have to look at the tone of media channels and how they report on story’s that are bad linked to Rangers and anything bad linked to others as just a football fan issue. We won’t get any traction in the media or from pundits. The Scottish media is as likely to give Rangers positive press as CNN is to praise Trump. It’s all about your lens in terms of the progress mentioned. I fully believe the squad is better and as more become fit and available to us the general standard has indeed improved. I still don’t think it’s anywhere near the standard we can or should expect however and I think the issues with Clements selections and setup remain concerning. Dropping off from the positive setup with two strikers and real attacking threat was a return to blunting our attack. With the exertions of midweek not bringing in fresher legs in Danilo, Barron and Sterling for me was negligent and ultimately cost us as we fizzled out from around 70 minutes in terms of our ability to sustain pressure. Yes our players battled and yes they stood up and showed character but isn’t that expected ? I’m not actually having a go at the players many of who looked shattered and certainly in the 90 we got all they had but beyond that I’m not sure the manager did anything particularly clever or tactical, for vast sections of the game we were sitting in offering little. I do agree if we could have made it 2-0 we might have got over the line but, we didn’t. I thought the biggest red flag was how often Igmane who has been electric again struggled to make the same impact as he had been doing up front and isolated again as the other forwards dropped off. That system does not work, we must be on the front foot, we are a bit like the Kevin Keegan Newcastle, our score and be cavalier or go conservative and get beaten. This is only my view but I just don’t accept that this is where we have to be with this squad. I think we could be better, I think we have some real talent and some cracking young players but I do think Clement could be doing a bit more tactically abandoning more of an attacking mentality especially in these games where to me Celtic weren’t great either. Of all the real kicks in the proverbial’s we have had to me the worst is we have given them a lot of wins when they haven’t been very good. Yesterday we made them work for it for large parts of the game but ultimately it’s another trophy that they haven’t taken from us with a fairly average team. History won’t show the circumstances they just record the wins. The panels comment on Dessers is spot on, couldn’t agree more. Dessers absolutely needs to be upgraded, he won’t do long term but we can’t just focus on him as the antichrist without shining a spotlight on some of the other problem areas with as much zeal. I also won’t ever take glee in just continually hammering a guy regardless of what they bring, especially when they do at times contribute. Blame a guy for what they do wrong, praise them for what they do right but some of the bad faith takes on Dessers who didn’t sign himself, didn’t set his own wage or pick himself are just unfair. What does the next game really mean to us now ? Miles off the top of the table does taking 3 points back at this point really matter ? Does it save his job ? I think if he won both games there’s a turnaround, losing the trophy I’m not sure a meaningless 3 points changes much. I think he left it too late to adapt, I think the jury is still out if he has it tactically, I can absolutely acknowledge a few bright spots in the squad but I can’t quite bring myself to believe it’s quite enough as it stands right now. Enjoyed the discussion and take on a lot of the points but I don’t think the next OF game really tells us much, they can give us two out the next three and it won’t really matter. The only markers or progress that matters is wining trophies and he has already lost out on a hell of a lot, losing the league but winning two cups this year would have been progress, we failed at that first hurdle.

Alan Robertson

Really appreciated Alan’s & Andy’s perspective on the penalties. Helped me to see things differently. Thanks chaps

Guy Incognito

I am absolutely no fan of Dessers but all the criticism mystifies me. A genuine question here - how would we all have felt if we saw him walking up to the spot?? I suspect there would've been an international chorus of "aw naw...". Between that and how he seems to be feeling (a complete crisis of confidence) it was absolutely the right thing for him not to be in the 5 Ps - we can hardly moan about the strikers not taking pens when none of them have had a chance in a decade to hit one in a game (no slight on Tav - his record is exceptional).

Stephen
>>158485152

100%. The guy has no confidence at the moment and we as fans are hardly encouraging him to find it again. His miss cost us a victory against spurs the other night so I can understand why he wouldn’t want to step up and ruin this too. Also the thing that people say that he would get respect if he volunteered to take one even if he did miss. None of us say this when we remember Aaron Ramsay. He could have had to take one with more pressure if it had gone to 6/7/8 penalties.

David_Davy_Dave

Scotland’s falling coefficient and the end of easy access to the Champions League will be a major disruption to Celtic It’s why Rogers has openly said next season is his last I hope we can continue to progress this season and be ready to capitalise and win the league next season. That’s what everything should be building to

Luke

Few points: Feels like we were so close to winning both games last week. Most had us written off, and pumped. I think we are starting to see signs of improvement. Some good patterns of football which could get better with improved decision making. Souttar has arguably been one of the best/ most consistent players this season, there is no way we concede 3 goals if he starts that final. Raskin and Diomande starting to look like Rangers players now as well but we lack depth in every area, the players we brought on took us out the game. Cheatin Beaton might as well have pulled on a jersey yesterday. One tackle and we are always in the book, and can’t put a challenge in for the rest of the game. It’s a fucking joke. So cliché but he really couldn’t get his cards out fast enough. It’s at the point that I expect a massive officiating error every time we play them. Don’t know what can be done about it though. Think the VAR audio would be an interesting listen. What are the chances of hearing that. 🤔

Allan
>>158465216

Who is discussing a whole season? On any given season where our squad is quasi-competitive, the majority of games don't matter and it will often come down to who wins the big games. I'm talking specifically about the scum games, blatent bad decisions and VAR controversey. Also, that Covid effected season we were peaking under Gerard and they had the drunk and were such a mess. Regardless, they've pressured referees to the point where it's easier for a ref not to make big decisions rather than get grief for doing so. That's a matter of fact not conjecture. In that regard, I don't consider it to be incompetence. The VAR incident in question is not open to interpretation. It's clear. The rule is a penalty. Someone (VAR team) has decided to ignore the rule and not inform the referee. Can you seriously tell me when you heard the VAR crew were Muir and Conner you did not roll your eyes? It is obvious what is happening and by trying to take the high road all the time won't change it. They're cheats and they need called out for it.

Allan
>>158463534

If that's true David then surely that's cheating plain and simple. What other explanation is there?

Allan
>>158463534

It would be interesting to hear the audio on that particular VAR conversation.

Craig

Some strikers aren't penalty takers, Dessers was quite happy to take one when the opposition was Morton though.

Luke
>>158485152

I get your sentiment, I wouldn’t put money on him scoring into an empty net. However, I don’t like the idea of a Rangers striker not seeing a moment like that as an opportunity to redeem himself with the fans. His work rate and hold-up play is shocking for a guy his size as well. He was literally bouncing off of CCV. Club need to cash in on him quick. Plenty of cheaper players out there who can offer more than he does.

Guy Incognito
>>158485152

Don't disagree with most of that (the performance aspects in particular) but I still dont think it changes the fact that I wouldn't want him anywhere near a spot kick. As a support we are tearing him to shreds for not volunteering but there's two things I'd counter that with: 1. I don't WANT him volunteering. Volunteering when you aren't confident is a recipe for disaster 2. If the gaffer is to be believed, we practiced all season and had a list. He was 6th. If it's based on training performances, whether he wants to take one of the first five or not is irrelevant. Where you are.on the list is where you are on the list

Iain McKay

The decision yesterday should be the smoking gun. Every other one has been justifiable in some way, even if extremely harsh. Raskin did put his hands on Hart in the cup final, Lawrence did foul their player in the 3 each game even if it was ages before the goal, Sima was offside for the handball even if thats why the penalty wasnt awarded. But there is zero excuse for yesterday. It's not open to interpretation, or a 90/10 decision. It's black and white. The club have to push hard.

Graham Jones

I just think it took so long for them to start bedding in because of a number of factors. There’s age and experience which is a big one, there was the sheer volume of signings being another, there were language issues as well, because there were so many people who spoke different languages, and some had to learn a third language, in this case french, just so the manager could communicate with them. We bought rawness and potential because we couldn’t afford a more finished calibre of player, and how the manager has put this team together is beyond me. Most of the criticism has been borne out of frustration. There’s nothing wrong with that, but good managers get sacked as well as bad when that happens in fan media. We need to be more measured when looking at the performance of someone like a manager, because we need to examine the whole circumstance around what he is working in. He was maybe a bit optimistic with how long he thought it would take to see the side start to perform much better, but that is understandable because he s trying to buy more time for the project to work for him. I feel that people are giving this Celtic team far too much credit, because I don’t think they’re as rock solid as people think. It will take a bad result, or a shaky performance, which they did have yesterday because we put them under pressure for the first time this season. Aberdeen almost beat them, and should’ve done so had the referees not interfered in their games as well. So I think we need to give them a day off and get back into the season and make sure we take full points over the holiday period. At some pointy they will have a dodgy spell, and ewe need to make sure we are firing on all cylinders when it happens.

David McBurney

I hate to be pedantic David but it's no wins in 6 for Phil but I'm really hoping it's 7th time lucky for him in January cos if it's not then I think he's pretty much done

Douglas Innes

Collum will come out with " honest mistake & that Beaton and assistant were in good positions so VAR didn't feel the need to scrutinise " ..

Nikky Cairney
>>158478202

Spot on mate. 11 points behind and lost another old firm cup final. But everything seems ok now with Clement because we never got battered yesterday. 3 weeks ago we had to beat Celtic in the cup final for him to keep his job. Now it’s positive signs that we are progressing because of a few good performances. Lot of short memories on here and in our support. Agree with you about the game on the 2nd, we win and it chances nothing in reality. Not even convinced we get to that game only 11 behind.

Spoon
>>158478202

Nikky the big issue for me bud is I hate not loving the team as much as I should. The issue, and it’s maybe my own, is that this all goes against a wider backdrop of standards coming down, expectations coming down and an acceptance we just can’t expect more from the manager / team / board. There are absolutely positives in amongst the bad situation we are in, I am a huge fan of Jefte, I am really starting to like Igmane. Bajrami to me will settle into being a good player for us, I love big Souttar and we have a great core of a team here. My issue is that I’m not sure they were very good recently against us and yet we still struggle to take a game by the scruff of the neck and boss it. The final while full of effort slipped back to quite a defensive set up to my eye, some of that was tactical I get that, but hasn’t Clement learned we are a team who functions best as the aggressor? I can’t square the circle of going after a team like Spurs but being scared of them. The worst part of this is if you could tell me that we don’t lose again to them this season I would take what the rest of the campaign gives and say let’s go for it next year. The next game at home should be a win for us, it’s not a marker. Winning your home games for either side of the OF should be the norm, the good teams win away or in the big games. I’m absolutely not faulting the effort or determination and in terms of building the players up again the manager has done well. The nagging doubt remains has he got the vision and ability to make us the domestic force we need to be ? My fear is we are drifting towards a team who used to be something and now just hark back to the glory days with no real plan for now. I don’t like the feeling or want it to be true but if we can’t beat the version of them we saw at the weekend in 90 / 120 or on Pens that’s three chances in one game we didn’t take and ultimately they rack up another honour. I want us to win on the 2nd as I want us to in every game but it’s a victory that saves a job for me, given our record it is a blip for them not a killler blow. The flip side is to change opinion and be a winner he has to start somewhere, I just wish it was at the weekend as that victory coupled with a solid win 2nd January was the catalyst that would have changed opinion.

Nikky Cairney

Great pod guys. Appreciate the conversation. First off thought David was excellent on Talksport last week pre Spurs! Positives from yesterday I agree off the ball our shape was good. Limited McGregor dictating like he has done in the past and their best chances came from our mistakes or errors. We triggered the press when Taylor or Johnston came inside which was smart. However the system is asking far too much of Raskin and Diomande and that’s why they were absolutely shattered come 70 minutes. It’s not a system that can work long term in big games I’m afraid. On the ball, I’m sorry but it’s far from good enough. Will post a link from John Walker on X whose analysis showed exactly what I thought at the game. We were consistently going long ball and giving Celtic the ball back. There were options for us to play out under no pressure and Butland still went long. Nearly 30 times he launched it long and we won 5 of them. 3 times we won the second ball. Their second goal comes from exactly this. We are effectively giving away possession every time we are building up from the back. It doesn’t win you trophies or big games. That’s just a fact now. https://x.com/johnwalker_1986/status/1868669499370881098?s=46&t=nPOHPLJY2wOtlTB3lywfSg I’m genuinely staggered by the positivity I’m seeing about Clement and how we played yesterday. I agree from 3 weeks ago it was an improvement but that still doesn’t mean we have to accept the long ball nonsense we are watching. There was so many times we could’ve played into Raskin and it goes long. It’s killing us giving the ball away and it’s another reason we tired so badly. Most on here wanted him gone after Killie and then Aberdeen and Dundee Utd. Everyone said he has to win the cup final to keep his job. Now no matter how you think we played or how it transpired. The simple facts are this. We are 11 points behind in the league. He’s now lost two tight old firm finals which were there to be won. He’s lost a league which after his initial good work, was there to be won. Clement has found a way to lose them all and Im really struggling massively to see it changing. I don’t know if as a fan base our standards have dropped so low we are now accepting not getting pumped off Celtic as progress. I really like a lot of the squad we have and feel a better manager would improve us so much. Theres a horrible similarity between us now and Celtic in the 90s. They’d be crying about refs and about being the better team while Walter held aloft another trophy. That’s it. It’s about winning. It’s all that matters and all that ever will. Hope many are right and we are turning the corner. Seems to be a consensus that he has to win on the 2nd. Wonder if he doesn’t he will get more leeway if it’s a tight game or a refs decision is dodgy. He’s 6 and 0 against them and a Rangers manager has to beat Celtic. It’s as simple as that. Also totally agree on Dowell it depresses me being him on week after week.

Martin Boyd
>>158505946

Yay common sense ! The manager has been judged harshly by some folk who have platforms to sway others , sometimes I think it’s just because they thrive on chaos and it gets them attention. Some of the things said and written about him have disgusted me he is being asked to run a marathon with one leg tied behind his back the decisions made before he arrived at the club have contributed massively to all the problems we have . He has done a good job with what he has been given and if VAR had done it’s job in the last 2 cup finals he would be sitting with 3 cup final wins from 3. The fact that Scottish football is bent is not his fault.

Alastair McGeoch
>>158466617

When Martin O’Neill first came to Celtic he made comments about Rangers being the benchmark and further comments about needing to be 10-12 points better than us due to the referees. Another mistake Clement made last season was to distance himself from the club going after Collum on the handball to show he was fair minded. We absolutely should have gone after Collum last year, he would have been done. Instead, we have him in charge of refereeing in Scotland. Clement needs to start talking about ref standards after every game, Rogers himself did it after hearts last season. Little comments, apply pressure (he certainly should be doing it after every game from now until 2nd Jan) Trouble is Clement has talked so much crap after games this season it probably wont land as I think the media see him as a lame duck/joke figure who won’t be hear much longer so not someone investing time in/listening to.

Alastair McGeoch
>>158465216

I think there were three significant factors at play the 55 season. The first, no fans in the stadium so they could ref with clear head without the normal fan reaction to decisions putting pressure on them in games etc . The second, we were in lockdown so no chance of getting abused out and about by fans. The third, Celtic imploded as Lennon imploded. Once we built the lead up it was clear to everyone (media, pundits, usuals Celtic mouthpieces and their own fans who were storming Parkhead on a regular basis ) that Celtics own failings had cost them 10 in a row and it would not go to the wire where a ref decision could be blamed. That took all the pressure off the refs that season. Calum MacGregor got sent off in an old firm game for 2 yellow cards in the first half that season…..unbelievable now but it did happen….Now, all that pressure is back on. We won’t start getting the big decisions again until we are better than them.

Ranger1972
>>158526511

The day you start sharing John Walker analysis is the day to give it up. Every pod you are lambasting Clement in the comments. We get it, you don’t like him. It’s tiresome now. The manager gets to the end of the season and then we re assess. Pointless sacking him now to bring in another half way through a season. It doesn’t work we are the case in point for this. As discussed we have limited ability in the squad. Yesterday they gave everything after giving everything 72 hours before v spurs. We came up just short. That’s it.

William Alston

In an ideal world I agree with Andy's point on letting things breathe etc but if we loose on 2nd the manager is gone. I can't go on any longer with more losses to them. We turned up for a change on Sunday but turning up against them is the absolute minimum

Gary Shaw
>>158526511

Said the exact same at the time mate….Even when we had the ball in the middle of the park (Dio being the most guilty) there was wee pockets to play it into but decided to clip long balls to Hagi or Cerny who were in between 6ft plus CHs and a fullback….thats where the Khun chance at 0-0 came from ….our decision making from guys like Hagi,Diomande,Cerny etc borders on ridiculous.

Gary Shaw

Good pod boys but a few things….It might not go down well but every decision against us (apart from Sunday which is a shocker,was correct)….Roofes goal is rightly chopped off and the same foul has benefited us in the past….Lawrence foul on Hetate is a foul all day and it only took us 15secs to score from that without a Celtic player touching the ball…Scottish Cup final Raskin puts two hand on the gk mid jump…If there’s a Rangers fan out there that says if Celtic had got they exact decisions for them and we’d be fine with it then you’re lying ….The Johnston handball at Parkhead is the one that annoyed me despite being offside that’s not the reason he didn’t give the pen.

Gary Shaw

I get where Andy’s coming from about quality and decision making but that shouldn’t need far better players or even practice to execute the most basic of passes….If every supporter with a blue persuasion can see it’s the wrong pass time and time again then surely an international,professional footballer knows it’s the right thing….I can only put it down to mentality that a player can’t simply make the only pass that’s on.

Gary Shaw

As for Dessers I’ve said it before,he’s arguably pound for pound the worst centre forward I’ve seen but the penalty situation is definitely a stick to beat him with even more….Michael Mols (one of my personal favourites) I seem to remember putting a subs jacket on in a semi final shootout against Hibs and he was 10x the player Dessers is and that was post injury never mind before his injury

Ranger1972

Throughly enjoyed the podcast lads. Disagree with the desssers opinions but that’s life. Common sense and balanced opinions seem not to be the norm on here now from listeners. Comments section turning more and more into Follow Follow at every turn. Will enjoy the pods as always but I’ll refrain from looking in here for a while.

Jamiedinho

I still don't believe the squad is good enough and the manager won't take us where we need. He'll get the season now due to this purple patch but I don't want him here next season

Colin Gardner
>>158532403

Jamie the reason the squad isn't good enough isn't on the manager. He inherited an overplayed squad full of shite. Slowly he has got rid of them and will take probably another 3 windows to completely get rid of them all. He never signed up for this and is working under enormous financial constraints compared to the mockits. Over the last 5 games there has been a big improvement in performances and we are now starting to see a direction. Remember he had to go with Dessers as we had no one else. Now we have options up front and in midfield. I'd give him to the end if the season and let's see where we are performances wise as I believe the league may be out of reach now. Beat them a couple of times and win Scottish Cup and we all might have a diffrent view .

Niall MacKay

Nicely put from start to finish. I think we have one major thing in our arsenal that will allow a big gap to close quickly. We are Rangers and that weighs heavy on Celtic as a club. They fear us, you could see it written all over their fans faces yesterday despite being unbeaten in 18 months against us. I can't wait until January now, I just hope that we have enough fit defenders worthy of the name to start the match.

Nikky Cairney
>>158526511

It’s how I feel regarding him and if it’s my opinion I will continue to share. I’d love nothing more than to be wrong and Clement wins is all round and wins trophies. You want to keep him to the end of the season that’s fine. I disagree. I believe we have more ability in the squad than is being shown. Johns stuff is spot on. Along with some others they seem to be spot on with tactical stuff.

Steve Clark

Great pod guys,always a good listen when Alan and Andy are on

Ranger1972
>>158526511

The continual need to share these opinions regardless of change in performance/match result to me seems pointless but it’s your decision. Last 4 weeks have shown a marked upturn in performance levels. The manager has done that along with the players. He deserves credit and not to give any is folly. We were beat Sunday and that’s all that really matters but there is no need for the constant negativity and berating of the manager from yourself and others on here. He’s done well last 4 weeks as have the players. John is a failed junior football coach who clips pieces together on Twitter stating the obvious. The reason we went long is because we have been torn apart before when trying to play out. It’s really that simple and those tactics Sunday took us to being penalty kick away from lifting a trophy.

Jamiedinho
>>158532403

Even with better players, Hoofball for 90 minutes will not win us the league next year. My concern is we beat Celtic in the final game of the season which is a dead rubber and he's kept on and is sacked by October 10 points behind again

Martin Boyd
>>158532403

Don’t know what your watching if you think we play hoofball. What a weird take on a team playing through the lines.

Martin Boyd
>>158532403

Did you not watch the Tottenham game ? Or the previous games . Celtic press high and fast would you rather we bowled the ball out to allow that. The fact that we are capable of changing tactics isn’t a hard thing to see.

Jamiedinho
>>158532403

I would rather we played good football and put teams to the sword if I'm honest. We will not get that with this team or Clement. A purple patch in that we are playing slightly better than some of the worst football I've seen since the lower divisions doesn't stop that.

Nikky Cairney
>>158526511

Don’t think we are going to agree. Think it comes down to a difference in standards maybe. I don’t think a draw with Dundee United at home, beating St Johnstone and Ross County away in fairly turgid games, beating Killie at home well in fairness and losing a cup final cancels out the shite that’s been served since March domestically. If you do that’s fine. Left Europe out as Europe has always been ok even early in the season we had good wins away at Malmo and at home to Steaua. Thought we were great against Nice and Spurs also. But as I said for me I’ve not seen enough to convince me he’s turned a massive corner. If it’s 2 months down the line and we have won every game domestically then fine. But hit after winning 3 games he should be, drawing with Dundee Utd and losing again to Celtic.

Paul Holst

As soon as Davie said ‘perspective’ we all knew we were getting Andy…😄

Ranger1972
>>158526511

We definitely aren’t. It’s certainly not a difference in standards though. Im as disappointed and angry at the position we find ourselves in as every other rangers fan is but I can allow for balance and say we have done well recently. I don’t think we have turned a massive corner and we have some ways to go for me to be convinced Clement is the right man long term but I Sunday doesn’t have to be critiqued to death and have holes picked in what was a decent performance and where we very unlucky not to win. I prefer to find positives where they can be found, to be constantly on the negative must be so draining and I think that’s where we differ. As discussed on pod time will tell if we can kick on from this. Let’s hope we can. All the best.

Heart and Hand
>>158478202

Think we all said that this year has to be a relaunch pad but I can't sit all season and say 'I want signs of progress' then when they show them say 'lol irrelevant don't care'. Fact is it is about building for the future here to make sure 2024 is the nadir.

Johnnie Mitchell
>>158531193

We’ll agree to disagree on this Gary. In my opinion Roofe goal ok as Dessers did not foul player in build up, I’m sure he kicked himself/Dessers to trip himself up. Inexcusable from VAR Foul on Hetate, fair enough. Same rules should then apply re their 3rd goal on Sunday. Go back x amount of seconds in build up. Raskin in Cup Final. Can’t deny he touches GK but he is fouled first to cause him to do this. Take this back a certain amount of seconds too. I think we’ve been screwed over too many times with these VAR calls and I honestly think the opposite decisions would have been made if the roles were reversed. The Johnston decision confirms this for me as they then go hunting for a reason/ lie to cover up their blatant cheating.

Spoon
>>158478202

If you’re seeing enough then fair play, I remain unconvinced this squad couldn’t be used better. The squad quality has seen improvements but still threadbare and unbalanced for me. Effort absolutely has improved but shouldn’t it have always been there? As I say not sure he wins over doubters any time soon if he can’t beat him hem in a game that matters. That chance is now some way off due to points gap, one win in 7 doesn’t really shift the needle much.

Colin Gardner
>>158532403

It's not hoofball mate.Their press is really good and we don't have the players at the back to play through it. What would you prefer we persist trying to play through their press and lose the ball probably leading to more chances or play long and get us up the park?

Jamiedfa

Hemdami, Is it 2008?, I wish😆

Barry Kerr

Think Andy's comments on Dessers and the mentality to play for us is a bit harsh. He got dogs abuse at the start of last season booed off the park etc he then went on to score 22 goals after all that. Some are far too gone on Dessers and it shows with the opinions on him I would have expected him to take a penalty but if he's not confident then he's right not to step up. I agree he should probably be moved on though.

David P
>>158631546

I think he's lucky that the focus since the final has been on his not taking a penalty rather than his performance when he came on because it was absolutely abysmal. Personally I have to say I didn't want him anywhere near a spot kick.

Chris Thorburn

Andy’s comments re Celtic being ‘in the groove’ on and off the park wow! They are up in court for child rape! The Scottish public should not let this lie. It’s almost as if child rape is no longer a big deal. It’s a National disgrace. Celtic and the SFA must be punished for this attrocity against Scottish kids.

Alastair Stocks

6 games without a win against them for Clement lads, 1 of the run of 7 is under Beale