Hapoel Tel Aviv 2 vs. Rangers 1 Feb. 14 2007

[Bazza 21]

NO HISTORY IN HAPOEL

This was a game that was built up to be a record breaking 13 game unbeaten run for Rangers against a side who were struggling for form in there current league. The spying missions had produced positive, confident verdicts that this was a team ripe for the taking and that a good result was on the cards.

All the build up made the match and the loss all the more frustrating. The tempo and possession for much of the game was dictated by the Gers and it took a stunning free kick and a stupid defensive error to see us lose two goals in a game that should have been at the least, a comfortable draw.

Walter surprised most people by dropping Adam, in the only change from the team that finished on Sunday, for Rae who was posted on the right wing. This saw Burke wide left and it looked for much of the game to be an inspired decision as Burke had a great time against his opposite number. Our big downfall, again, was the lack of quality ball into the box, which was highlighted, by the lack of efforts made at goal by our top marksman.

There is hard work now to be done next week, but they are beatable and at a packed Ibrox I still have every faith that progression is still on the cards.

Today’s team: -

McGregor: - Rarely called into action, and when he was it was unfortunately to pick the ball out of his own net. The first, especially, was just unstoppable.

Rmed Verdict: - 6

Hutton: - Always looking to push forward and support or overlap down the right. Needs to be a bit more selective in his passing. Was also caught a couple of times in behind.

Rmed Verdict: - 6

Svensson: - One minute he looks fine and throws in a crunching tackle, but the next a panic seems to set in and he looks distinctly uneasy. Still has a long way to go to prove his worth to the team.

Rmed Verdict: - 6

Weir: - Won’t be happy about the way the second goal was conceded as for the majority of the game we were very comfortable. You wonder how we coped in defence without him. That’s right, we didn’t.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

Murray: - Not his best night as, more than once, the ball was slipped in behind him and decent crosses resulted. One of which saw the ball in the back of our net. A must do better will appear on the report card.

Rmed Verdict: - 5

Rae: - Is not, and never will be a right-winger. Played with a good bit of heart but it was very obvious that he has had very little in the way of first team football. Surprise choice and I’ll be surprised if he plays in the next leg.

Rmed Verdict: - 5

Bazza: - Controlled, dictated and chased the game all night. He certainly didn’t deserve to be on the losing side and proved again that he has the drive and skill to be on the European stage.

Rmed Verdict: - 8

Hemdani: - Complimented Bazza very well and also controlled the tempo of the game. Hardly wasted a pass and sat well in front of the back four.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

Burke: - Showed at the weekend that he had started to find glimpses of form and continued that tonight as he terrorised his opposite number all night. Great feet and trickery just lacked the final ball to have been outstanding.

Rmed Verdict: - 8 (MOTM hopefully he continues to find form.)

Novo: - Scored the crucial away goal after prematurely celebrating what he thought was a Bazza goal. Did little apart from that though and can certainly offer more.

Rmed Verdict: - 6

Boyd: - Frustrating night for the big striker. Had very little in the way of chances to make any attempts with but has to learn to accept that in away European ties. Hopefully Ibrox becomes a better hunting ground.

Rmed Verdict: - 6

Sionko (On for Novo): - Added very little to the cause.

Rmed Verdict: - 3

Adam (On for Burke): - Audacious attempt to chip the keeper from 40 yards but had little time to contribute anything else.

Rmed Verdict: - 4

Smith: - Sad night for him as he returned to the European stage. Lost his first game as Gers manager and also lost the chance at creating some history. All the more upsetting because I thought (apart from Rae) that he had his tactics spot on.

Rmed Verdict: - 7

There is a bit more pressure on us at Ibrox than we really wanted but this tie is not over by a long shot and they certainly don’t look like a great outfit. These games are played over two legs and next Thursday will give us the outcome, and I’m sure the right team will progress.

WATP

Baz.

http://rangersmediamatchday.blogspot.com/