'No more soundbites': Rangers must make their point on the pitch

The soundbites from John Lundstram last Saturday post-Dundee United were as tiresome as they were predictable. I’m sorry but I don’t have any time for the players or squad who have failed consistently in this fixture for the last two seasons.

"We have to win the battles," says John. Hopefully, he is listening to his own advice. He has underperformed all season with slow and lacklustre play.

I’d go as far as to say if Rangers are to win this game then he can’t be anywhere near the starting team because the midfield is where the game will be won and lost. Lundstram and Glen Kamara have been part of too many failures.

Last February we got that selection wrong. Kamara, Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo were swamped in a 3-0 defeat.

The Ibrox reverse almost a year to this day saw Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Aribo again pushed aside. The 4-0 humbling in August was unnerving viewing with Kamara and Lundstram once again chasing shadows.

There is only one midfield the manager can choose this Saturday and it contains Nicolas Raskin, Jack and Todd Cantwell. Pace, energy, battling qualities, grit and determination are allpresent. Crucially, it won't have the sense of trepidation others immersed in failure might.

READ MORE: Malik Tillman: An apology - why I failed to board his Rangers Express

In the League Cup final, Michael Beale went with Kamara and Lundstram. It didn’t work and it was a pairing that crumbled once more. Whilst we still have work to do in there come the summer windows, Michael Beale must get the selection right otherwise we can forget it.

Celtic will be strong, they will come at us and will be quick and sharp with everything. We must match them with legs and enthusiasm in the middle of the pitch. Whoever they choose; Aaron Mooy, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hetate and Callum McGregor play with pace and aggression. They'll push Rangers all the time and press relentlessly.

We have to stand up to that to have any chance of doing something. The 3-0 and 4-0 humiliations in 2022 were handed to Celtic with almost every goal coming from weak play and littered with individual mistakes.

We have spoken about showing a ‘better footing’ in these games. I want determination. I want grit. I want a desire to represent this badge.

I have my doubts folks, I’m sorry. I’m not sure this squad is strong enough to produce or stand up in what will be a vortex of hate and noise. The League Cup final showed me this squad doesn’t have the desire. Yes, that selection was wrong but it didn’t excuse those players being two yards off everything.

Don’t forget that was covered by John Lundstram's soundbites last time: "I couldn’t get near them and felt I was 2 yards away every time."

Well, John, these words won’t cut it this time, I don’t want another post-match apology and I don’t want another 'We’ll do better' next time story.

I’m intrigued to see if Ben Davies can actually defend. I’m intrigued to see if Todd Cantwell actually can dig in and press in a midfield battle where he won’t have it all his own way. I’m intrigued to see if Malik Tillman can show up in a game like this. This team has to answer those questions.

This may be filled with negatives but it’s simply because this group have failed time and time again when it really counts - against our rivals. 43 points out of 45 is great going and Michael Beale has done a sterling job but the standard of opposition has been dismal. It is in games like Saturday where it really counts.

The League Cup final was a dismal showing when it really mattered, so I simply don’t believe they can produce something different. No fans and an opposition baying for blood - it has all the hallmarks of a difficult 90 minutes.

So let’s see, come Saturday, if Beale can get it right. Let’s see if those players we think are doing well can do it in the top games and let’s see if we can put Postecoglou on notice before the season's end.

When Beale says this team needs a revamp and the fans say a rebuild, it’s games like Saturday where where people will point to as proof of their argument.

My advice? For what it's worth, be ballsy Rangers. Fight for everything. Don’t surrender meekly. Give me blood, sweat and snotters. Win the 50/50s, then - no matter what - we will be proud of the performance.

We know there is work to be done with this team so at least leave us satisfied we gave it our all. I’m sick of failure. Sick of the sound bites and of the same mistakes and weaknesses.

It’s time to stand up and be counted Rangers. Prove me wrong.