It's time Rangers star Alfredo Morelos got credit he deserves and he'll fire club to 55

[The Dude 20,026]

Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday after an enthralling 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle - and the immediate aftermath felt as though the Gers had never been away.

With little over 60 hours having passed after the final whistle in Thursday's Europa League draw with Villareal, Steven Gerrard's side put in a dogged shift to secure the three points in the capital and it instantly set many of Scottish football's talking heads into meltdown.

Anyone who tuned in to BT Sport yesterday lunchtime would have been forgiven for thinking they had tuned into a weird hybrid of celtic's and Hearts' club TV channels as Michael Stewart raved about the seemingly once-in-a-lifetime performance of the mononymic Christophe at the heart of the Jambos' defence while Rob McLean delivered his commentary with the enthusiasm of a man on his way to his own execution.

READ MORE: https://www.BOYCOTT THIS LINK/sport/football/football-news/its-time-Rangers-star-alfredo-13681803

 

[BridgeIsBlue 66,612]

Decent article. 

[TopCat 4,511]

Good post OP.

[Gman36 3,456]

Good work slating those two absolute plamfs

[Leeds_Bear 8,110]

Here is the article so no one has to give the DR any hits. 

 

It's time Rangers star Alfredo Morelos got credit he deserves and he'll fire club to 55 - James Black

Our Ibrox blogger believes neither Rangers nor the Colombian are getting the plaudits they should be.

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By

James Black

Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday after an enthralling 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle - and the immediate aftermath felt as though the Gers had never been away.

With little over 60 hours having passed after the final whistle in Thursday's Europa League draw with Villareal, Steven Gerrard's side put in a dogged shift to secure the three points in the capital and it instantly set many of Scottish football's talking heads into meltdown.

Anyone who tuned in to BT Sport yesterday lunchtime would have been forgiven for thinking they had tuned into a weird hybrid of celtic's and Hearts' club TV channels as Michael Stewart raved about the seemingly once-in-a-lifetime performance of the mononymic Christophe at the heart of the Jambos' defence while Rob McLean delivered his commentary with the enthusiasm of a man on his way to his own execution.

The action on the pitch was, yet again, a fantastic advert for the Scottish game with a fantastic atmosphere at Tynecastle, a few tasty challenges, an own goal, a red card, a cracking strike from Alfredo Morelos (offside or not it was still a helluva finish from the Colombian) and the sort of tension at the end of the game that had Rangers fans on the edge of their seats waiting for the final whistle.

Despite that, almost all of the post-match discussion has been focused on two decisions made by referee Bobby Madden.

Morelos' winner was the first big talking point with Stewart and co going to great lengths to highlight the officials' error which allowed the Gers to pick up the win. There's no doubt the 22-year-old was just offside when he expertly hooked the ball home. Weirdly though, there seemed to be far more objection to the officials getting it wrong than there has been on the several occasions so far this season when Rangers have found themselves on the other end of a mistake from an official resulting in a goal.

Maybe McLean and Stewart think it's their duty to hold Scottish officials to a higher standard than their continental counterparts but to the viewer at home, it only comes across as petty and bitter.

Then there was Scotty Arfield's red card.

Listening to some of the comments after game, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Arfield had stamped on Bobby Zlamal's head in some horrific out-take from American History X. Yes, the Canadian international was late with his challenge but the vast majority of fans would be shouting the odds if their side found themselves in a similar position and didn't challenge for the ball.

Comically, BT Sport had a referee at Hampden for the League Cup final clash later that afternoon and when asked for his opinion, he said it was only worthy of a booking.

BT never returned to that opinion and instead, McLean and Stewart continued with their 'horror challenge' line. I can only guess here but, had the ref at Hampden said it was a red card, I'd bet everything I own on the commentary team making repeated reference to it throughout the remainder of the game.

It didn't get much better in the hours following the final whistle. While lunacy has become expected in the world of Scottish fitba Twitter, Super Scoreboard's Hugh Keevins took it to unprecedented levels when he suggested that Arfield's challenge was a particularly bad one "given that there was such a high level of concern over the head injury to Gary Mackay-Steven" in the League Cup final.

I wouldn't pretend to be an expert on such matters but, by my watch, GMS' injury happened a couple of hours after Arfield had been sent off at Tynecastle. Not to mention there virtually no similarities between the two whatsoever.

Rangers Scott Arfield is red carded for a challenge on Zdenek Zlamal (Image: SNS Group)

With all the gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands going on, there was barely a mention of Morelos scoring in his seventh consecutive Scottish Premiership game to equal David Clarkson's record. The 22-year-old has been immense this season for Gerrard's side and somehow doesn't get anywhere near the credit he should for his performances.

I said earlier this year that when the Colombian does eventually move on from Ibrox that it will be for more than celtic received for Moussa Dembele. Plenty scoffed at the time but at the rate he's currently going, it won't be long until Rangers have a massive decision on their hands over Morelos' future.

Before then though, I wouldn't bet against the striker from riling up defenders and pundits across the country as he fires the Gers to title number 55.

[The Dude 20,026]

6 minutes ago, Leeds_Bear said:

Here is the article so no one has to give the DR any hits. 

 

It's time Rangers star Alfredo Morelos got credit he deserves and he'll fire club to 55 - James Black

Our Ibrox blogger believes neither Rangers nor the Colombian are getting the plaudits they should be.

SHARE

By

James Black

Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday after an enthralling 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle - and the immediate aftermath felt as though the Gers had never been away.

With little over 60 hours having passed after the final whistle in Thursday's Europa League draw with Villareal, Steven Gerrard's side put in a dogged shift to secure the three points in the capital and it instantly set many of Scottish football's talking heads into meltdown.

Anyone who tuned in to BT Sport yesterday lunchtime would have been forgiven for thinking they had tuned into a weird hybrid of celtic's and Hearts' club TV channels as Michael Stewart raved about the seemingly once-in-a-lifetime performance of the mononymic Christophe at the heart of the Jambos' defence while Rob McLean delivered his commentary with the enthusiasm of a man on his way to his own execution.

The action on the pitch was, yet again, a fantastic advert for the Scottish game with a fantastic atmosphere at Tynecastle, a few tasty challenges, an own goal, a red card, a cracking strike from Alfredo Morelos (offside or not it was still a helluva finish from the Colombian) and the sort of tension at the end of the game that had Rangers fans on the edge of their seats waiting for the final whistle.

Despite that, almost all of the post-match discussion has been focused on two decisions made by referee Bobby Madden.

Morelos' winner was the first big talking point with Stewart and co going to great lengths to highlight the officials' error which allowed the Gers to pick up the win. There's no doubt the 22-year-old was just offside when he expertly hooked the ball home. Weirdly though, there seemed to be far more objection to the officials getting it wrong than there has been on the several occasions so far this season when Rangers have found themselves on the other end of a mistake from an official resulting in a goal.

Maybe McLean and Stewart think it's their duty to hold Scottish officials to a higher standard than their continental counterparts but to the viewer at home, it only comes across as petty and bitter.

Then there was Scotty Arfield's red card.

Listening to some of the comments after game, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Arfield had stamped on Bobby Zlamal's head in some horrific out-take from American History X. Yes, the Canadian international was late with his challenge but the vast majority of fans would be shouting the odds if their side found themselves in a similar position and didn't challenge for the ball.

Comically, BT Sport had a referee at Hampden for the League Cup final clash later that afternoon and when asked for his opinion, he said it was only worthy of a booking.

BT never returned to that opinion and instead, McLean and Stewart continued with their 'horror challenge' line. I can only guess here but, had the ref at Hampden said it was a red card, I'd bet everything I own on the commentary team making repeated reference to it throughout the remainder of the game.

It didn't get much better in the hours following the final whistle. While lunacy has become expected in the world of Scottish fitba Twitter, Super Scoreboard's Hugh Keevins took it to unprecedented levels when he suggested that Arfield's challenge was a particularly bad one "given that there was such a high level of concern over the head injury to Gary Mackay-Steven" in the League Cup final.

I wouldn't pretend to be an expert on such matters but, by my watch, GMS' injury happened a couple of hours after Arfield had been sent off at Tynecastle. Not to mention there virtually no similarities between the two whatsoever.

Rangers Scott Arfield is red carded for a challenge on Zdenek Zlamal (Image: SNS Group)

With all the gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands going on, there was barely a mention of Morelos scoring in his seventh consecutive Scottish Premiership game to equal David Clarkson's record. The 22-year-old has been immense this season for Gerrard's side and somehow doesn't get anywhere near the credit he should for his performances.

I said earlier this year that when the Colombian does eventually move on from Ibrox that it will be for more than celtic received for Moussa Dembele. Plenty scoffed at the time but at the rate he's currently going, it won't be long until Rangers have a massive decision on their hands over Morelos' future.

Before then though, I wouldn't bet against the striker from riling up defenders and pundits across the country as he fires the Gers to title number 55.

Never understood the logic in this. We moan we want more balanced stuff in the papers and when someone tries to provide that we then try to stop it getting hits. If stuff doesn't get hits then papers won't publish it/pay people to write it. Kinda self-defeating imo.

[BloodRunsBlue 1,303]

That's more like it Dude 

You'll likely get the bullet tomorrow though.

 

[Bearsden bear 2,376]

And to think some fans wanted to punt him for cumdog!!

[RFC55 109,159]

Decent arictle op and actually putting in print what many on here say regarding commentators and their pettiness.

Posters on here say they want someone to highlight it at MSM level so it's good it's being done here 

[Blue Nosed Babe 20,788]

Good Article. Glad those wallopers are getting called out.

[NamibianBear 1,851]

@The Dudenice one 👍

[Leeds_Bear 8,110]

23 minutes ago, The Dude said:

Never understood the logic in this. We moan we want more balanced stuff in the papers and when someone tries to provide that we then try to stop it getting hits. If stuff doesn't get hits then papers won't publish it/pay people to write it. Kinda self-defeating imo.

A blogger opinion piece is not balance - sorry.

It’s a cracking piece but the Daily Record are clear with their objective and opinion towards Rangers.

Until we see more balance across all of their reporting I will actively support no Rangers supporter visiting their website. 

This is where they’ve put their editorial effort today...

”New ground” “PR stunt” “Liability”

[eejay the dj 31,964]

46 minutes ago, The Dude said:

Never understood the logic in this. We moan we want more balanced stuff in the papers and when someone tries to provide that we then try to stop it getting hits. If stuff doesn't get hits then papers won't publish it/pay people to write it. Kinda self-defeating imo.

My para is rubbing off on your Dudee boy 😉😀

Good piece 

[G.E.C. 18,817]

Put me in the mood to watch American History X again.

Cheers @The Dude

[The Dude 20,026]

1 minute ago, Leeds_Bear said:

A blogger opinion piece is not balance - sorry.

It’s a cracking piece but the Daily Record are clear with their objective and opinion towards Rangers.

Until we see more balance across all of their reporting I will actively support no Rangers supporter visiting their website. 

Tell me, what's the difference between an opinion piece written by me or anyone else on their payroll? Does Jackson having a FT contract give his opinion some extra weight over mines? We're quick to call one proof of an agenda against us...

You might actively support no Rangers fan going to their site but at the same time you're actively going out of your way to affect the numbers on 'pro-Rangers' pieces which in turn affects the likelihood of more being commissioned in future.

If you think there's stuff which is 'anti-Rangers' then complain to IPSO it has far more of an effect than encouraging folk not to read the stuff which is 'pro-Rangers'

[The Dude 20,026]

11 minutes ago, Leeds_Bear said:

A blogger opinion piece is not balance - sorry.

It’s a cracking piece but the Daily Record are clear with their objective and opinion towards Rangers.

Until we see more balance across all of their reporting I will actively support no Rangers supporter visiting their website. 

This is where they’ve put their editorial effort today...

”New ground” “PR stunt” “Liability”

So...an opinion piece.

[plumbGER 24,518]

Good article @The Dude but be careful because if you keep it up I might start a thread on here saying "It's about time Rangers blogger @The Dudegot the credit he deserves" that might entice some nasty people to say bad things about you and hurt your feelings.

[The Dude 20,026]

Just now, plumbGER said:

Good article @The Dude but be careful because if you keep it up I might start a thread on here saying "It's about time Rangers blogger @The Dudegot the credit he deserves" that might entice some nasty people to say bad things about you and hurt your feelings.

It would keep @gogzy busy for a while at least. 😂

[plumbGER 24,518]

1 minute ago, The Dude said:

It would keep @gogzy busy for a while at least. 😂

It could be fun tbf, you'd get all sorts of shite threw at you as would I for starting the thread and I do enjoy when people get so worked up over my opinion tbh.

[CoopsLaud 4,186]

Any article describing someone as mononymic has to be pretty good. Off to look it up now. Great sounding word.

[LochendBilly 8,413]

Well written @The Dude ! Honest and straight to the point, truth will always win in the end, keep it up!

[The Dude 20,026]

Just now, plumbGER said:

It could be fun tbf, you'd get all sorts of shite threw at you as would I for starting the thread and I do enjoy when people get so worked up over my opinion tbh.

I love it. Especially when folk point out it's just a 'fan blog' then proceed to go on a rant about why I'm talking shite.

[Leeds_Bear 8,110]

 

11 minutes ago, The Dude said:

Tell me, what's the difference between an opinion piece written by me or anyone else on their payroll? Does Jackson having a FT contract give his opinion some extra weight over mines? We're quick to call one proof of an agenda against us...

You might actively support no Rangers fan going to their site but at the same time you're actively going out of your way to affect the numbers on 'pro-Rangers' pieces which in turn affects the likelihood of more being commissioned in future.

If you think there's stuff which is 'anti-Rangers' then complain to IPSO it has far more of an effect than encouraging folk not to read the stuff which is 'pro-Rangers'

With all due respect, you're not even positioned as a journalist within the article you're the 'Ibrox blogger', anyone who isn't a Rangers fan has already switched off to your opinion because that's in the opening line.

These articles are purely there to try and attract Rangers fans to read it and won't change any of the external narrative.

Jackson's articles do carry more weight with the general public and set a stronger narrative than your articles - he's the chief sports writer. 

There is also no might about it, I do actively support Rangers fans avoiding their site and I'd like to see the paper go out of business. 

You quote 'anti-Rangers' as though this is fantasy and has not already been proven, IPSO are quite familiar with the Daily Record and articles on Rangers or our fans. 

Please don't take this is a personal attack, I thought the article was good as I've already said - I'm merely giving people the option to read the article without clicking the link, if they support your view then I'm sure people will still click the link at the top of the forum.

 

6 minutes ago, The Dude said:

So...an opinion piece.

From their chief sports writer, not the 'Ibrox blogger' and where they've clearly put all their energies today. Why are you not on the sofa with him to offer some balance? 

[Callum_Doon 1,036]

7 minutes ago, The Dude said:

I love it. Especially when folk point out it's just a 'fan blog' then proceed to go on a rant about why I'm talking shite.

As a former research journalist, that's a thoroughly well composed article - most imperatively, it evidences all of the salient points.

[MisterC 12,288]

Great article, keep up the good work @The Dude