My pre Match feeling was that Shinnie for Gillet was a wise move plus Aldred really should have startd. My only "concern" was Terry's continuing persistence with Tade - especially starting him off in a left midfield slot - would have played Ross maself. Playing Foran and Hayes up front was my "pick" anyway.
Pitch looks in great condition and the sun shines on the Moray Firth - and the gods are shining on us as a great Ortiz cross should have been tucked home by Edu but he flicks it on too Jellyvic who was just offside IMHO - but why was Tokely covering six yards behind Tansey.
Piermayr gets himself booked in the third minute after a very shaky start. They are playing everything down their right via Ness and Ortiz as the Huns are still queuing up to get into the ground. Our first chance comes in the 9th minute as Foran wins a god header and sots from Tansey and Tudur Jones are blocked. Brave header from Hogg results in a mega clash of heads with Naismith and the wee Hun takes a count of 8 !! Hogg was helped as his next action is a fine tackle on Jellyvic.
15 minutes gone and we are a bit fortunate to be level with Rangers dominating, looking dangerous down their right and Ness looking dangerous. And Terry swops Tade with Hayes and vice versa. But we continue to allow Rangers all the possesion and to play it about - depending on the two defending lines of four in our own half - leaving Foran really struggling on his own.
Ridiculous foul given away by Tokely on the edge of the box in the 21st minute and we are only saved by a lucky deflection from Piermayr and then a great break from Hayes leaves Doran in on goals and he chooses to go for goals first time and blows a good chance. But as 25 minutes tick by we are beginning to get more in their faces which is long overdue. Bartley gets booked for a foul on Tade who is beginning to get under their skins. Piermayr overdoes it and will have to watch himself.
Mics go to Terry who admits that we have started badly and let Rangers dominate too much. 33 minutes and a welcome breather ar Mr T Bartley goes off and is replaced by Perry and he should be our "target". Tade in on goal and ruled offside which TV shows that he clearly wasn't.
Big hand ball shout from Naismith in the 39th minute and it did hit Hogg's arm but was nodded on to it by Jellyvic. We almost get caught out on a break from a corner but the cross at the end of the move is headed away by - Johnny Hayes!! Up again and a Doran cross could have been touched in by Foran. Edu then gets harshly booked as Rosscoe play acts !!
Another big shout for a Hun penalty and the replay shows that it was as Tokely clearly rasies his arm and the ref puts the whistle to his mouth but stops at the last moment.
Last attempt of the half is a well placed ICT free kick which was wasted by Tansey.
In summary Rangers have dominated and tippy tappied with a lot of potential but little penetration. Ness looks like the ball player and Jellyvic is a class player. To be fair they deserved a penalty - one penalty. But we are sticking in there and we looked a wee bit more likely in the last ten minutes. Unfortunately the skills of Tansey are being lost as he is playing so deep and defensive as we play a holding middle with pace and width. My main concern is Piermayr who is being pulled apart by Ortiz and one foul away from a red card.
And yon wee nyaff McCann tried to justify that it should be 3-0 to Rangers - but I loved the comparison between Rosscoe and davie Weir, suggesting that Rosscoe could have another decade left in the SPL !!
I would'nt be surprised if we use a tactical (but measured please) hoof tactic in the second half as there will be fair wind blowing behind us towards the bridge. I would like to see Shane brought on after the hour for Tade and A.Shinnie may well play a cameo as he really has a point to prove - reckon that neither Hayes or Doran will last the pace.
SECOND HALF
Good solid first 5-7 minutes as we hopefully learned OF lessons from the past and Tade is doing well holding things up with his strength. But I am afraid that the hoof is starting and it is far from measured and it will drain our stamina if it persists. Mind you Hogg and Tokely are hitting it straight in to touch. But it nice to see Johnny Hayes taking on the full backs again even if his crossing has been poor so far.
Penalty and Tokely gets a red and the replay clearly shows that Tokely got the ball first - and Jellyvic scores - will start off another thread but this is clearly because the ref has been told that he made a mistake - or possibly two in the first half - and he has taken the opportunity to make ammends and he books Foran for gobbing as well. Tade gives way for Aldred.
Ross comes on for Tudur Jones as even Terry gets a talking to by the incompetent one. Jhesus he gives a second penalty in the 67th minute - have to say it was a bit clumsy by Aldred but he went for the ball, they collided and Goian was going nowhere. Cant blame the ref as it was the assistants call. Great save from Jellyvic but Edu strolls in to the box to net the second.
As fer the penalty - what a feckin save from Esson - but watch the reactions of Aldred and Hogg to the deflection - simly not good enough - an did Foran not let them know about it. Hope Terry and Mo also give them absolute pelters as well. Game looks as good as over and it is all now about damage limitation.
I know that we are up against it but Naismith turned Aldred and Hogg far too easily in the 71st minute and it really should have been 3-0. Sutherland on fer Doran. And the ref tries to make ammends by sending Edu off for a justifiable decision. We are beginning to pick ourselves up and the ref is clearly giving us the benefit of the doubt with most decisions - again an unfortunate trait of refs who know that they have got things wrong. But he books Tansey but had no choice.
The game is beginning to die a death with Rangers in third gear and allowing us possession. Hayes again almost made them pay and a Shane strike is well blocked in the 85th minute.
Tansey was very, very lucky not to pick up a second red card in the 88th minute - again a trait of a forgiving ref.
In summary we didnt really deserve to get anything out of this game and we were on the back foot for most of it - it is just a pity that the turning point was a deplorably wrong refereeing decision. BUT I think / hope that Terry learned some more lessons and loosens some of his apparently inherent convictions and loyalties to signings.
ESSON Well he didnt do anything wrong and pulled off a great penalty save.
PIERMAYR Very, very shaky first 20 minutes which was undoubtedly not helped by the early booking. Did steady himslef but was not seen going forward,
ROSSCOE Unfortunately the red card will provide the "rest" that he clearly needed and probably saves Terry from making a very hard decision. Very unlucky to be sent off but he was struggling throughout - although lets face it - Jellyvic is class.
HOGG Apart from standing like a feckin statue at the second penalty I actually thought that he wasmuch improved and lasted the stamina sapping 90 minutes
SHINNIE Welcome back lad - Solid, reliable if uncomprimising.
DORAN Ran out of steam in the second half but played well in the first half, especially defensively. Should have done better when 1:1 on McGregor
TUDUR JONES Is he unfit or does he have a frustratingly lackadaisical style. He sat back but did little else
TANSEY Suffered due to the system and was forced to play on his back foot. Did well enuff in that respect but was given no opportunity to play football.
HAYES My MOM - I would have persisted with playing him up front if not wide coming in. Saw more of the old Johnny Hayes today and his fitness levels are significantly improved - did some fantastic defensive tracking back as well
TADE Well he aint a midfielder either but - give him his due - he worked and worked and did some great hassling and holding up for others. But I am afraid he is an in betweener - he aint a forward or a midfielder - but he could be a very effective substitute
FORAN Also worked and worked - and makes good runs, is good in the air, makes movements and looks to play in others - but he is limited when he is playng on his own up front and/or trying to do the movement for others. Hope he gives Aldred and Hogg a really good slap - or three - a feckin clenched one
ALDRED I like the lad and would start him at Aberdire but the reaction at the penalty was disgusting - it is pure feckin basics - what the feck was he doing. He is learning and can only improve - his potential outweighs his inexperience
ROSS Inmy opinion is a far better choice in midfield with Tansey. I thought that he looked far more effective
SUTHERLAND Again he showed enuff in a short time to cry out fer a run in the team. He may not have the pace or hassle of Tade but he is a centre forward by trade as you can see by his movement and eye to be in a position to have a go at goal and the desire to have a go.