graeme_4 35,167 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Last season I thought that he was an absolute standout, not just in our team, but in our entire league. The stats certainly back it up.2010/11 – 27 appearances (in all comps) with 19 goals – 1 goal per 1.42Jelavic stepped up and really drove on our team’s title win, leading from the front, scoring the winner in the Cup final and would probably have been our player of the year had Ian Black’s horror ‘tackle’ (and I use the word tackle very loosely) not occurred. The big man returned from injury absolutely on fire and as a result was then linked (although only speculatively) to Manchester United and Newcastle, as well as a few decent sides across Europe. Unfortunately, since coming back after the summer he has come nowhere near reaching the dizzy heights he did last time around. He was absolutely woeful in all our European games and looked really unfit and lacked sharpness, although our lack of signings, poor selections/tactics and Whitaker acting like Scott Brown were the real reason we went out. During the European debacle Jelavic escaped pretty much unharmed in terms of his reputation, although I’d argue he was one of our poorest performers at that point. If Healy or Lafferty turned in those performances they would be slated. Look at the abuse Edu took while trying to carry McCulloch on his back at the start of the season – although this is a different topic for a different day. He has had a few great moments, scoring a terrific header against Celtic, laying off Naismith to score away to Dunfermline (when someone of lesser footballing intelligence would have taken the shot on – take note Greg Wylde!) and also scoring a technically difficult goal away in Europe. For some reason it just feels like something is missing this season.In terms of the stats, he hasn’t been as good as last year:I also think that his body language hasn’t been great and at times he has looked isolated and like a big sulk.2011/12 – 12 appearances with 5 goals – 1 goal per 2.4 gamesWe all know he was subject to a big money offer from Leicester and supposedly an offer from Turkey. My question is this, has he had his head turned?With so many ‘big’ teams courting his signature has he decided his future lies elsewhere? Is he pissed off at having virtually no European football again this year? If he was to leave Rangers for the likes of the Premiership there would obviously be benefits:Less of the rough treatment (and lack of protection from the refs) from the hammer throwers in this league Warmer climateBetter standard of League and playersMuch more moneyLess of a ‘gold fish bowl’ environmentHe has been in the papers and says the usual textbook stuff we heard time and time again from Boogie. ‘Rangers are a great club’, ‘I have a contract here’ and the dreaded ‘I’m not looking to move, but if something came up…’ We all know how Bougherra turned out. As much as I hate to see us lose our best players, if we had an offer of £9 million plus I’d take it at the end of the season. I think it would represent a good deal of us and him (and probably whatever middle of the road premiership club would pay it). Interested to hear the Bears thoughts on this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whyte N McKay 17 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 He's also said a lot of other things about being surprised and disappointed with the team at the start of the season after they had been so good, how they had to have a good look at themselves. Only last week he commented on the win over Celtic and said how much he enjoyed the feeling of winning so well and how he'd like to do that again and again during the season. So, no, I don't think Jelavic is taking us for a ride. Just not in especially good form. It happens to the best of them and there doesn't neccessarily have to be a reason why it happens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheikh Salim 215 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Boogie always said he was going to leave, and that Rangers were a stepping stone. In the end his motive for leaving was money based rather than ambition, but he did say he fancied a change as well. For all the big mans faults he was straight with us from the start and put in a good shift overall.Jelavic, prior to joining us, was hardly prolific. He too said at the start he has ambitions to play in the EPL, who can fault that. I am a firm believer that he will find his feet sooner rather than later, although not to the high standards of last season. He contributes a lot more to the team than just scoring.If we get one more season, not including this one, out of him then I will be happy. Providing a favourable outcome in this tax case, he will leave for a nice profit.Rangers should be looking at having a main core of players and then buying others with a view to sell at profit later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassaaaa 11,406 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Anyone offering £9m plus in January can have him , good player but nowhere near as good as some think .......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 He is a player who should be playing European football. Delighted he is still here and absolutely love him as a Rangers striker. Will wish him well when he eventually moves on as he has never hidden the fact he would like to move onto something bigger whilst at the same time declaring his love of Rangers, our fans and the feeling of winning. Fair play to him, as long as he gives 100% while he is here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
50ShadesofBlue 667 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 He'll need to start performing if he's looking for a big transfer to the BPL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 He is a player who should be playing European football. Delighted he is still here and absolutely love him as a Rangers striker. Will wish him well when he eventually moves on as he has never hidden the fact he would like to move onto something bigger whilst at the same time declaring his love of Rangers, our fans and the feeling of winning. Fair play to him, as long as he gives 100% while he is here.He could well be playing European football had he pulled his finger out his arse when needed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlippinEck 3,736 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Any offer of £9M will always be looked at. I believe him when he says he wont move to pish like Leicester or Newcastle though Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 He could well be playing European football had he pulled his finger out his arse when needed.Its a team game and no one player is to blame for our exit but i agree, he had an extremely poor/sluggish start to this season. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottBF2 3,540 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 The thing that I'll always remember is how he engineered the move from Rapid. Yes, we were always likely to get him - but he refused to play unless he was sold to us. He did it once, and if we're not careful it could be an avenue he could exploit in the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNuts 552 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 he is an outstanding player. still to come to form this season, but he will. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNuts 552 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 he is an outstanding player. still to come to form this season, but he will. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 The thing that I'll always remember is how he engineered the move from Rapid. Yes, we were always likely to get him - but he refused to play unless he was sold to us. He did it once, and if we're not careful it could be an avenue he could exploit in the future.I dont think we are the kind of club who would hold a player back though, if he was honest with Ally and Mr Whyte, i am sure we would let him go. Rapid didnt cover themselves in glory during those negotiations imo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottBF2 3,540 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I dont think we are the kind of club who would hold a player back though, if he was honest with Ally and Mr Whyte, i am sure we would let him go. Rapid didnt cover themselves in glory during those negotiations imo.You're right, aye. But if push came to shove, I think Jelavic would act similar to how he has in the past with no second thought. He wont be held back, even if we depend heavily on him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxiblue 18 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 we will never get 9 million if he doesnt improve...would'nt scoore many in epl... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 You're right, aye. But if push came to shove, I think Jelavic would act similar to how he has in the past with no second thought. He wont be held back, even if we depend heavily on him.You could be right, who knows, he talks a good game but he is here until January so he kind of has to. There is no way out for now. Did Craig Whyte not admit we would have to listen to offers and possibly sell one or two players in January anyway to cover out short fall this season? I have that in my head for some reason, not sure if i read it or heard it somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 we will never get 9 million if he doesnt improve...would'nt scoore many in epl...Disagree with both statements. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicika Jelavic 7 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Form is temporary class is forever. Bit of confidence and he'll be back to his usual best, he's do some great link up play this year, and his positioning is good enough he is just missing chances. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluepeter9 5,167 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 This whole bad body language thing - it gets brought up everytime someone has a sticky patch. Now could 'one' be mis-interpreting 'lack of interest' body language as 'damm I am not doing well and thats pissing me off' body language - or vice-versa?? Also when he scored against 'them' I did not see much 'sulking' going on.Strikers hit both bad and productive patches - If its a bad patch it doesn't make them shite, it doesn't mean they are looking to leave and it doesn't make them disinterested. (Even oor Ally had a few barren patches - and a good few games warming the bench when the manager didnae fancy him) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRodgA2k8 542 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Form is temporary class is forever. Bit of confidence and he'll be back to his usual best, he's do some great link up play this year, and his positioning is good enough he is just missing chances.In agreement with you here mate...Also lets not discount his assists so far this season, surely contributed well in that regard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Players like Jelavic are always going to be here for a short period of time, what we need to do is get the best price possible for him down the line and reinvest with more quality players.Then repeat, that's our blueprint for the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdunsmb 43 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Will be surprised if he stays past next Summer.Hopefully qualifying for the CL would be enough to keep him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirkiebear 1,013 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Every player, no matter how good they are, always suffers from a dip in form every now and again. Jelavic is no exception. The fact that he has still managed to make a big contribution to the team this season despite being off form shows how good he is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardFoster 41 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I think we're expecting a bit much from him, yeah last season he was outstanding.He hasn't hit the massive heights so far, but he's still scored about 6 or 7 goals already which is still decent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NessFTW 40 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 A class player going through a bad run. Still good enough to plough through though. It's a shame we don't have a good enough striker to give him a rest and challenge him to get back into the team. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.