Has Gio van Bronckhorst finally reached the end of the line at Rangers?
KEITH: That’s a matter entirely for the Rangers board. Almost everyone else appears to have realised that keeping Van Bronckhorst in charge is not even an option. But try telling that to someone with his head in the sand.
GORDON: Yes. He should have realised after his players removed their labour in the Champions League hammering from Liverpool that the game was up. There’s nothing in the recent performances to suggest the squad has the fight to keep their manager.
ANDY : It looks hard to see a way back for the Dutchman. Yet again Rangers looked as short on inspiration as they did leadership in Paisley and there was a resigned look about Van Brocnkhorst as the final whistle blew. If he’s still in charge when they return from the World Cup break to face Hibs on December 15, I’ll be stunned.
MICHAEL: He reached the end of the line a few weeks ago. The injury list is brutal but it’s no excuse. This Rangers team is devoid of ideas and desire and while the players haven’t cut it, the manager is the man to carry the can.
If Rangers do decide to part ways with van Bronckhorst, who should the Ibrox board be looking to as replacement?
KEITH: Of all the names floating about Kevin Muscat is one of the most intriguing. But Rangers won’t want to be accused of appointing Ange Postecoglou’s apprentice - even if they believe Aussie is the best man for the job.
GORDON: It’ll have to be a manager who knows the market and getting value for money. Chris Wilder’s available and would be a decent candidate but the big box ticker is David Martindale.
ANDY: Sean Dyche didn’t exactly pour scorn on the idea when he was quizzed about the possibility earlier this week. He’s not exactly a purist when it comes to style but he’s shown with Burnley he can work within a tight budget and has worked with Ross Wilson at Watford. Crucially, he’s a free agent and that will appeal to the Ibrox money men.
MICHAEL: Scott Parker. It might sound similar to the Steven Gerrard appointment but Parker did well at Fulham and Bournemouth, where he was harshly binned after winning promotion. He’d be another bold move but he’d need backing.
Can we write off Scottish football’s VAR issues are just teething problems?
KEITH: No. It’s not a matter of getting used to the technology. It’s a problem with the men making the decisions. All VAR has achieved so far is to highlight how badly wrong they’re getting the biggest calls.
GORDON: It’s a conspiracy theory too far to suggest there’s anything sinister in the shambolic start for VAR in our game. It’s incompetence and a failure to apply the technology as only a tool to assist referees at major moments.
ANDY: Of course we should. The officials have been practising with their new toy for the past few months but it’s only when you get down to the nitty gritty that real lessons are learned. Give the refs time, they will soon get to grips with the telly technology.
MICHAEL: It’s too easy a get out for too any officials who seem to have lost their confidence to make decisions and have seemingly abandoned common sense. The amount of penalties awarded has shot up and some of these handball calls have been ridiculous, along with the time taken to make apparently straight forward calls.
The Premiership will be packed away for the World Cup, who is the player, young player and manager of the season so far?
KEITH: Ange Postecoglou continues to lead from the front with Davie Martindale deserving an honourable mention. Reo Hatate has been head and shoulders above the rest on the pitch and Motherwel’s Stuart McKinstry continues to catch the eye as a rapidly emerging talent.
GORDON: Reo Hatate has been the top man, Leighton Clarkson is a kid heading to the top and Stephen Robinson’s been a revelation at St Mirren.
ANDY: Ange Postecoglou is the obvious choice for the gaffer gong but Davie Martindale deserves special mention too with Livi again defying the odds in the top six. Jota remains the stand out Premiership performer while Aberdeen’s Connor Barron continues to look like an exciting prospect.
MICHAEL: Reo Hatate has been the player of the season so far having really stepped up in the absence of Callum McGregor. Liel Abada is best young talent while Livingston’s David Martindale is top of the bosses.
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