Hopefully Saturday will see more of the same going forward, with Hooper and Stokesy together upfront. And with more clinical finishing. It goes without saying that we need the three points, and we should be ok if Wednesday was any guide It really looks like dropped points from ourselves or that other lot are going to be at a premium, so a win is essential.

Hail Hail!!

I was a little disappointed to hear Lennon moaning about the referee to be honest. I mean, it was a blatant dive by Broadfoot, and the referee wasn’t even looking at it properly, but he also gave us a share of odd decisions. Stokes could have gone in the first minute (probably should have gone) and Hooper could easily have been pulled up for a handball when he scored.

It shouldn’t come as a total shock that we looked a little less organised and stable than they did- we’re pretty much a completely new side, with a young and inexperienced coaching staff, whilst they have been together for a few years now. We should improve, provided Lennon and the players are given time. And, the loss of Shaun in the first half- probably the one truly creative player on the park- was a huge blow. Having said that, it was rather worrying that you never got the impression we’d get back into it once they went ahead. And yet again, and I really hate to labour this point, what on earth is Samaras there for? A man who is to slow and cumbersome for the SPL really has nowhere else to go…

All in all, a very disappointing day, though the fact that we have a game in midweek, at Perth in the CIS Cup, may be the kind of lift we need.

Have a good week folks.

The reaction of the players and the staff at the end of the game at Tannadice last Sunday tells you how big a win it was. There seems, to these eyes at least, a real togetherness among the Bhoys. Even Samaras!! While I’m still not convinced he’s a great footballer, Hooper excites me as a goalscorer pure and simple. The winner on Sunday was an impressively scruffy, studs in finish, which he celebrated like all poachers would. Love the squad number as well!!

Second guessing Lenny’s team this season has been a bit of a waste of time, in my experience. The back four should be fairly easy to call, but after that it’s a bit tricky. Walter Smith may well go for his usual ultra attacking, Brazil ‘70 4-5-1, which makes me wonder whether Neil won’t go for two up front, just to make sure we’re not over-run by their midfield. Especially with their Xavi and Iniesta-esque ability to keep possession and keep it moving forward…

I’m sure they would be delighted with a point, away from home and in the middle of their Champions League travails. We, on the other hand, might see this as a real chance to move clear at the top. Having said that, I do think a defeat, even at this stage, might be fatal, so would- through gritted teeth- take a point.

Hail Hail!!

Celtic went back to the top, on goal difference, after making it seven wins in seven in the SPL. After going behind early on (more of which later), and suffering a few scares, the Hoops got back into it before half time thanks to Shaun’s predatory (yes, really!) header. We went ahead thanks to the little man’s 50th goal in Green and White, a superb free-kick from the edge of the area. Hooper wrapped things up with a fine finish.

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It’s great to see Maloney continuing his good start to the season, in the week of his Scotland recall, and nice to see us back on top. However, I think Lennon was right to point out some of the sloppy defending the could well have led to being more than one down. The Big Fella in goal pulled off a couple of great saves and has been speaking of his desire to stay on past January. I’d be quite positive about this, to be honest, as Harper should be back for Newcastle, and Krul has shown that he’s a capable deputy. I imagine the Geordies will be happy for Fraser to stay on at Parkhead and continue to get experience.

So, we go into the break with a perfect league record under Lennon. The big one is just round the corner though…

Like Maloney, Scott Brown is in the national squad, as expected. He might want to get on the ball as much as possible against the Accies, as possession will be in short supply a week on Tuesday! Even without Xavi, Spain are a scary prospect. Brown will be looking to build on his performance against Hibs last time out.

We’ll know how Rangers got on at Tynecastle by the time we kick off, and any points dropped by them gives us the chance to go clear at the top, ahead of the Old Firm game later this month. Both Lennon and the players have been in the press this week stressing the importance of the fans, and the club are reducing junior prices for tomorrow.

Let’s hope for a big crowd and three points. Enjoy the game!

I have to say that I’m not 100% convinced that this is true, but if it is then it’s certainly a close escape, and a huge blessing in disguise!

In his time at ‘Boro and Birmingham Queudrue always came across as a bit of a wrong ‘un. He never struck you as someone who had a great attitude, and his rather short fuse in the Old Firm game would probably just be an accident waiting to happen. A slow ponderous one at that.

It’s rather depressing that this passes as news when the rest of Europe is concentrating on the Champions League this week, but hopefully that’s all the motivation Lenny and the lads need to make amends and win back the league.

Scott Brown was impressive on his return, and his early goal was a cracker. As, to be fair was Riordan’s consolation for them. It’s some effort to get it up and over big Fraser, but thankfully it didn’t prove costly. You can see the goals here:

Saturday made it fourteen wins from fourteen league games since Lenny took over, but the real test looms after the international break. First up is a tricky looking trip up to Tannadice, and then, of course, welcome that lot from over the road. They kept up their 100% record at Pittodrie yesterday, but they do have the distraction of Champions League games ahead of the derby. Personally I’m not overly fussed about us being out of the Europa League as Lennon’s top priority this year has to be the title.

Finally a word for old-Bhoy Evander Sno- good to see him back.

Ditto Samaras- on the whole I think he’s utterly hopeless- but his record isn’t too bad, and the fact that Lenny is trying to tie him up on a new deal reflects well on him. And, probably speak volumes for where we are as a side at the minute…

I’d be amazed if Hibs caused us too many problems- they’re in a bit of turmoil at the moment, as alleged events last night might indicate!
Tougher tests should follow next month. I fancy a reasonably comfortable home win and another clean sheet for Big Fraser. It was good to hear that there’s no provision in the loan for Newcastle to recall him.

I haven’t been able to post much this week, but here are the goals from the midweek game

The draw for the quarter final seems reasonably kind- a trip to Perth shouldn’t be too tricky to negotiate.

Enjoy the game tomorrow folks…

The Daily Record has the story:

RANGERS fans attending this month’s Champions League clash at Manchester United are to be bussed directly to and from the match via a base in Wigan.

Supporters who have tickets for the match at Old Trafford on Tuesday, September 14, are to meet at Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium where they will be transported direct to the match.

Likewise, after the full time whistle, the supporters are to be driven straight out of the city and back to Wigan.

The travel details are the result of an agreement between the club, Greater Manchester Police, Strathclyde Police, Manchester United and the Rangers supporter groups.

Or else this nonsense might ensue:

Sweet threads, guys…