***The Official NK Maribor vs. The Rangers Thread***

[Thommo 708]

Before we all slit our wrists, can I remind people that Ness is only just back from yet another long spell out with injury. His career so far has been littered with problems. He played 90 minutes at the weekend there. Ally might not want to risk harming him futher. This is the lad's career we're talking about here. Absolutely no point in rushing him back with game after game when he hasn't EVER been fit enough to get an extended run in the team at any level.

How dare you be sensible!

[Rab_Rangers 38]

How can Ally possibly justify dropping Ness after that performance at the weekend?

[SirWalterSmithLegend 206]

We will still win. Feel sorry for Ness though, big time. Who was it that said Lee and Edu are droppable?

[Irwin Sparkes 97]

I don't believe that Ness is really injured

I think Ally knows what the fans reaction will be to dropping him for McCulloch and is just covering his own back

Interestingly, i was 100% right about what the team would be

[SirWalterSmithLegend 206]

How can Ally possibly justify dropping Ness after that performance at the weekend?

Another bad habit picked up from Walter.

[Amac9 2,060]

Ness is not playing because he is just back from injury and starting him in a massive European game could result in a setback and put him back to square one.

Also if Lee McCulloch is fit he will ALWAYS play

[Papa Sasac 164]

Can't wait, should be a thoroughly entertaining match!

[trueblueal 2,117]

A little disheartened by that team, it looks very 'solid' which is code for slow and defensive. Would liked to have put Ness in there or Wylde for some pace and I am sorry but I just do not rate Broadfoot. I can see tonight being a slog with few chances.

[djbroxybear 660]

Is McCulloch playing ? If so hes undroppable when fit

[OrangeBurn 57]

There is no way Lee McCulloch can be fitter than Jamie Ness, unless Ness has picked up another injury, which I highly doubt.

Ness plays 90 minutes v Inverness and walks off fine, McCulloch hasn't played in weeks and mcoist said he MIGHT make it the other day.

Walter Smith, I mean Ally McCoist, unless Ness's leg is hanging off, you've fucked up. McCulloch will add nothing to the team except giving our defenders more of the ball than Xavi and Inesta get.

[SirWalterSmithLegend 206]

Let's compare tonight's team to the one that played away to Malmo, in a game that we would've strolled to success in if it weren't for Whittaker's stupidity;

McGregor, Papac, Bougherra, Whittaker, Wallace, Ortiz, McCulloch, Edu, Davis, Naismith, Jelavic

So it's Broadfoot, Goian and Bocanegra in for Papac, Bougherra and Whittaker. Other than that, it's the same team. Can people please stop overreacting. It's incredibly embarrassing.

3 changes but other than that. 3 changes is quite alot for an 11 man team.

Also this is a fans forum, open to all sorts of crazy people, they are allowed their opinion and if they want to spit the dummy before a ball is kicked, its surely upto them.

I love how you try and play everything down. Are you permanently stoned Kev?

[SirWalterSmithLegend 206]

Is McCulloch playing ? If so hes undroppable when fit

And half fit.

[sco22y 280]

broadfoot,jig,edu and ortiz should not be anywhere near our first choice 11 come the end of the transfer window, boring game tonight it is then.

[stampyurie 203]

God help mcculloch of he fucks something up tonite

[Rab_Rangers 38]

Real Radio say Ness has a groin injury

[50ShadesofBlue 667]

Jig & Edu?! Seriously Ally...c'mon.

[simplythebest 11,453]

3 changes; one due to suspension, one due to sale (and also suspension) and one due to injury. 3 changes that taken out of the manager's hands. I'm also perfectly entitled to my opinion that these people need to regain some grasp of reality. The expressing opinion argument works both ways! You can't honestly believe that this team selection is worth all the faux-outrage on here?

Fans are entitled to a strong opinion on team selection Kev.

If it surprises people and works out then most will hold their hands up, but that remains to be seen.

[Jamie1807 146]

2-0 Rangers.

[SirWalterSmithLegend 206]

3 changes; one due to suspension, one due to sale (and also suspension) and one due to injury. 3 changes that taken out of the manager's hands. I'm also perfectly entitled to my opinion that these people need to regain some grasp of reality. The expressing opinion argument works both ways! You can't honestly believe that this team selection is worth all the faux-outrage on here?

Not at all but i can understand fans being pissed off by more 1 up front rubbish and Ness being dropped after such a good performance for someone who cant be 100% fit.

[SirWalterSmithLegend 206]

Real Radio say Ness has a groin injury

Do you believe them?

[WilliamMunny 3,234]

Should have played Fleck behind Jelavic if Ness is indeed injured

[Stu1993 101]

No matter who's playing, Ness or McCulloch, we should still be beating them. Simple as that.

[Rab_Rangers 38]

Do you believe them?

No reason not to, if Ness isn't even on the bench then it would suggest he is injured.

[djbroxybear 660]

And half fit.

Thought i heard Ally saying he was touch n go for this game as best i thought he would be on the bench

[Nicolas Cage 31]

Can't believe McCulloch's playing. I doubt he'll be fully fit either which makes it more annoying. Playing defensively against Maribor. Not surprising but still demoralising.