Rangers banter 7

04 Sep 2026 11:57:17
If we get our act together perhaps it won't matter if we play 442 or 433.i personally think it will change depending on opponent and if it's home or away. First things first though let's get the basics right. Passing 5-10 yards without giving the ball away. Tracking runners. Crosses beating the first man.

Stopping crosses at source. 100%Effort all the time and speeding things up a bit.
We have the ingredients there to beat every team in our league home and away. Apart from maybe that mob.
If we can do all of the above more often than not we will be in a good place. Football is a simple game. Let's keep it simple 🇬🇧

04 Sep 2026 12:51:52
In most games, there's very little difference between the two.

442, one of the front players drops in as the ten.

433, one of the midfielders moves up to the ten.

The two biggest issues I've seen so far are the balance of the midfield 2 and the imbalance of the fullbacks.

For McInnes' system to bed in, we need two midfielders who are both comfortable playing as 6s and 8s and who are happy to rotate and take turns playing each role. With Raskin, Devlin and Neil, they all want to drop into the six, which invites pressure and isolates the front 4.



Also, McInnes always plays with one full back given licence to attack and the other asked to sit and make a back 3 when required. We've not been able to adopt this, and in trying to do so we spend huge chunks of the game completely ignoring our right hand side.

I also suspect that this is confusing Fernandez, as he's struggling to adjust without having an outball on the right or through the middle (as both midfielders are constantly coming towards him), and his positional play has been poor, as he's uncomfortable when Sterling drops in next to him.

04 Sep 2026 12:58:37
I bow to your superior tactical knowledge of the game, EHL. I am just a supporter who wants us to get better, to win silverware. I think that Drago can give us a bit more of that balance in the middle of the park.

I'd like to see him and Raskin in there, as I think what you elude to in both midfielders being able to play 6 and 8 is achievable with the two in there.

04 Sep 2026 13:14:24
I agree, Helicopter. Drago is very much the key to unlocking the midfield.

Think Spain with Rodri and Ruiz taking turns anchoring and supporting Olmo, who is given licence to drift ahead, whilst Williams and Yamal offer width and Olozabal stays between the CBs.



Now flip that to be Raskin and Drago with Minsu ahead, Gassama and Bouanani wide, and Kelsy through the middle.

That's ultimately what we're trying, and failing, to do.

It will come though.

04 Sep 2026 13:14:28
Would be a much poorer site without your input, Ehl, really enjoy your posts, mate. Yourself and Angus really make me see things from a different perspective, the way you both explain things.

04 Sep 2026 13:15:32
Noticed that the other night EHL, Serbian lad n Curtis were too quiet. Everything went left, commented on the live, as did BBJ. They were involved but not as much. Needs to be worked on.

04 Sep 2026 13:21:51
It will definitely take time for all these working parts to click together. I agree it will come in time. Hopefully soon. 🤣 It would be class to see it work and I think it could be quite devastating. If we could even remotely replicate what the Spanish do I'd be one happy bear. Here's hoping.

04 Sep 2026 13:30:15
To be fair, Helicopter, McInnes got a similar system working with Hearts last season, so there is reason to be optimistic.

We just need to increase our speed of play by about 800%. How hard can that be.

04 Sep 2026 13:33:57
Ehl, I feel, as well as Drago, I think Minsu will be very important in this system. 🤔🇬🇧 He'll press and take us up the park. 👍

04 Sep 2026 13:59:53
It's one of my pet hates. Forwards coming deep to pick up the ball, and immediately just pass it to our back 4, piling even more pressure on them.

04 Sep 2026 14:25:01
Good insight, EHL, we need to be patient, as I think when it clicks, we are going to be an electric team with the pace and power we have added up front and on the wings.

04 Sep 2026 14:32:51
Ehl, 800% 🤣 I'd settle for 50 atm.

04 Sep 2026 14:38:38
Thanks for the explanation, Ehl. I think, also, a big problem was apparently almost half of our forward passes were long balls, so we weren't looking to use the midfielders enough.

04 Sep 2026 14:50:53
Kaiser, that's what happens when you play two in midfield and both drop short - the only option is to go long.

Ideally, they split and one plays slightly higher - on the right hand side, as Sterling should anchor - to create more options.

The few decent passages of play happened when Shankland dropped into this space; however, it really shouldn't be left to him.

04 Sep 2026 15:31:37
This is the point I was making about Raskin and Devlin. Against Aberdeen, Neil played that slightly more advanced role, and, whilst not perfect, it was better.

04 Sep 2026 15:55:04
Would it maybe then be better with just the one defensive mid rather than 2 as in a 4132 or 4141?

04 Sep 2026 16:16:44
Lol, I don't sieve those formations exist, Kaiser.

Other than in computer games.

04 Sep 2026 16:32:25
100% Fork, it needs working on quickly too as we become too predictable when it happens. Probably why we are one of the worst performing attacking sides in our games so far.

04 Sep 2026 16:51:05
Correct Bbj. 👍

04 Sep 2026 17:07:57
I'm looking forward to seeing Drago and Raskin play together. Minsu in the 10 role looks good so far, but would like to see him get a start out wide to show what he can do there.

04 Sep 2026 09:54:54
The curious case regarding John Souttar! Would like clarification as why he was given a new contract at 17 k per week but seemingly isn't available for selection although he's not injured.various rumours circulating but what is rumoured and what is true?

04 Sep 2026 11:03:18
From the info here, it looks like he was given the new contract, then behaved in a manner unacceptable to the board at the end of last season. He was reputedly told he'd not play for us again. He hasn't been happy with subsequent offers, so he remains on the payroll.

04 Sep 2026 11:09:26
It's personal family time he's having.

04 Sep 2026 12:06:39
Contract was renewed after the alleged incident.

04 Sep 2026 12:17:28
Souttar is a strange one, he did sign again after the Tavernier situation, heard a few things, but nobody seems to know.

04 Sep 2026 12:26:34
To start, his contract wasn't renewed at 17k a week, after that, if we as fans were supposed to know, we'd know.

04 Sep 2026 12:28:15
Fork, I did not know that. Add me to the list of confused people.

04 Sep 2026 13:05:53
I think there should be some sort of communication made on what Situ is. If it's personal, then just say that, and along with a message to respect the player's privacy, etc. If it's football related, etc., again something I'm sure can be put out that also respects the player, etc.

The longer nothing is said with him at the MJ, but not under consideration, the more rumours fill the void.

04 Sep 2026 13:12:47
Maybe we the fans don't need to know what exactly happened with Souttar, but if it's a disciplinary matter that is forcing him out, we do deserve to know that much. Having an experienced Scotland international not involved at all, at a time when we lack experience according to McInnes and were saying we wanted more Scots in the squad, seems daft and just starts all sorts of conspiracy theories.

I've read about 4 different reasons on here alone. It needs cleared up for the fan base or do we need to wait until a question is asked at a shareholder meeting or Fan Forum?

04 Sep 2026 13:17:30
No worries, gmcs. 👍

04 Sep 2026 15:41:43
Wsl. Discipline matters are confidential.

04 Sep 2026 19:02:36
John2575, I said that I was asking for details on what he has or hasn't done, but it's never been said that he is not getting picked for disciplinary reasons. That's only been implied on here by some posters.
McInnes was asked today and he looked so uncomfortable trying not to answer.

He is obviously under instructions from those above not to say anything. Interesting, he also said that it was not his decision not to pick Nico for the games against Jabalonec. Confirms that he has been selected as a "yes man" manager.

04 Sep 2026
New image uploaded to the
Rangers Player Sightings page entitled,

Click picture for larger image

04 Sep 2026 10:14:12
Did we sell Raskin?

04 Sep 2026 10:27:29
Why you say that he is on the bench where he belongs.

04 Sep 2026 11:02:11
Dan Neil before Raskin. 😳
And although I'm not his biggest fan, room has to be made for Shankland on current form.

04 Sep 2026 11:27:54
MPH Shankland had 1 good game, Naderi scored 2 in 3 games, got dropped & there's no way we spent £9 million on Kelsy, not to start him, but I think Shankland will start as McInnes will play 442 again.

Raskin should have been sold & will end up away for nothing.

Done nothing against Falkirk & showed why no one is interested. How many passes did he miss up? Kosta or McCrorie ahead of Sterling ahead of Sterling, not been McCrorie's biggest fan but think he done well when he came on & had a bit of brilliant for the assist.

04 Sep 2026 11:55:09
SuperAlly and DJB, Lawrence Shankland will start most games imo, probably with Kelsy. 🤔 He's a natural goalscorer and his 2 goals were superb against Falkirk. 👌 Barry Ferguson said as much in his DR column this morning. 🤔 Baz said, for Shanks' second goal he had ice in his veins, and that you can't teach anyone to be a natural finisher/goalscorer like Shanks. 👌 🇬🇧

04 Sep 2026 11:56:43
Kosta for Sterling, Raskin for Neil, then all good. 👍

04 Sep 2026 12:10:08
Shanks starts every day of the week in front of Naderi for me. 🤔 🇬🇧

04 Sep 2026 13:16:33
No Shankland, No Devlin and No McCrorie in that team. The new leaders who knew Scottish football, plus two more of our signings, Yokota and Nedeljkovic, don't start.
Don't necessarily disagree with that team, but it does highlight some of the signings not being good enough.

04 Sep 2026 13:24:19
Djb Shankland hasn't had any sort of service in the other games, neither had Naderi tbf. I've said all along, give Shanks the service, he'll score goals. 3 chances, 2 goals. Can't ask for much better chances wise. He's now got more goals than Hogh, that many Rangers fans were highly praising.

04 Sep 2026 13:47:45
I don't disagree, Boy Blue, they haven't been given the service & I don't think they are supported enough in the box by midfielders & wingers to take players away. Hogh will score more than him by season's end, bar injury. His movements in the box are different, and, to me, Shankland is too static at times. He was more mobile against Falkirk.

04 Sep 2026 14:31:44
Djb, Shankland is the best finisher in Scottish football for me and given the proper service he's a better, more natural finisher than Kasper Hogh, absolutely no doubt about that for me. 🤔🇬🇧

04 Sep 2026 14:50:34
Thought that was Miovski. You said so often enough just recently. 😉😇

04 Sep 2026 17:21:36
That was before Shanks scored two this week. 😉

Not sure this one image of someone's pick of 11 players shows that our signings are poor though. Others I have seen online all have Shanks playing; some still have Devlin and Kosta in the team; plus Godfrey (no surprise).

So let's see what DM puts out for the weekend.

04 Sep 2026 19:30:44
Looks like Duran could give big Lawrence a run for his money in being the best finisher. Dudes approaching double figures already.

04 Sep 2026 09:32:36
Transfer window closed, team is now what it is, would've liked one more CB but hey ho, I think we have some decent players in all positions, once we gel we will be a good side, let's get 100% behind DM and whatever side he picks, we are far to negative at times, I know past few years since SG have not been great but hopefully after a poor start to the season we can now kick on, I am 100% behind management and players.

04 Sep 2026 09:39:45
Wouldn't want to be negative now, would we, Gustavo. 😂

04 Sep 2026 09:42:27
Good post, mate. Time to support the team.

04 Sep 2026 09:17:25
Would anyone look at Tom Davies on a free?

04 Sep 2026 09:22:25
I don't think this would be a good idea, mate.

04 Sep 2026 09:28:04
Maybe a while ago. But at this point I'm not really sure he makes us any better.

04 Sep 2026 13:17:39
I think he's been injury prone since he left Everton, and why would we need another midfielder.

04 Sep 2026
New image uploaded to the
Rangers Player Sightings page entitled, Rangers FC Club Photograph 2026-2027 Season.

Click picture for larger image

04 Sep 2026 09:14:19
Think we're a couple short. 🙄😄👍

04 Sep 2026 09:40:51
You rascal, Forky. 😂

04 Sep 2026 10:50:47
@Jasper,

And that's just the midfielders! 😁

04 Sep 2026 07:28:13
A few posts below about formation.

I'd be thinking 4312 at Ibrox with two central strikers, full backs pushing on and providing the width and an expectation on Minsu, Raskin and Drago to score 5 to 10 goals each arriving into the box from crosses or from hold up player. Neil sitting in and dictating play.


Away, 433 with two wingers stretching game, counter attacking and working back when under the cosh. Devlin possibly in for Raskin or Drago.

04 Sep 2026 09:54:18
Howzat. Where do the wingers we just bought fit into that formation?

04 Sep 2026 11:00:41
We ain't bringing in an £18m winger to sit on the bench. At home or away.