WILL RANGERS GAIN A POSITIVE RESULT AGAINST UNION SAINT GILLOISE TOMORROW?
ANDY NEWPORT: Gio van Bronckhorst ’s team weren’t quite up to full speed at Livi but the 90 minutes at Almondvale will have done them the world of good. A draw would set them up nicely for next week’s return.
CRAIG SWAN: Giovanni van Bronckhorst proved his abilities in Europe last season and that will ensure Rangers return to Ibrox in pole position to progress.
FRASER WILSON: The fact this is on neutral ground could help Rangers get off to a flier but it won’t be easy. Dante Vanzeir is the dangerman with goal threat coming in off the flank. Keep him quiet and Rangers can grab a single goal advantage.
GORDON PARKS: It’s a tough call as Rangers are still fine tuning for the new campaign against a side which is more than capable of inflicting damage. A draw would represent a positive result.
2. HOW WILL DUNDEE UNITED FARE AGAINST AZ ALKMAAR?
ANDY: Jack Ross has made some smart signings since taking over at Tannadice but I fear the match-up with the Dutch side could come too soon for his team.
CRAIG: Tough ask for the Tangerines. The Dutch are clearly favourites.
United have nothing to lose and a win at Tannadice would be a brilliant effort.
FRASER: This is a real barometer of where our top clubs outside Old Firm currently stand. Beating a side that finished fifth in the Eredivisie should be achievable for United. I can see a score draw setting up a tough test in Holland next week.
GORDON: The Dutch side are a step up in class from the average Premiership fare for United and it could prove a step up too far.
The experience which is in the Tannadice side this season could be key and they are capable of springing a surprise.
3. HIBS AND HEARTS TAKE OPENING DAY WINS INTO SUNDAY’S DERBY. HOW WILL IT GO?
ANDY: Hibs will be relieved to get their Premiership campaign off and running with their McDiarmid win after a shambolic pre-season but Hearts are full of confidence after last year’s impressive campaign. They should have enough to nick a win at Easter Road.
CRAIG: Both teams needed rub of the green to win on day one. Hearts,
though, looked creative in their second period against Ross County and are the most-likely winners at Easter Road.
FRASER: Hearts are settled and have added shrewdly to last year’s squad which exceeded expectations. Hibs are very much in transition. I’m going for a Hearts win in Leith.
GORDON: Hearts took an age to get into their stride against Ross County before coming good and Hibs are still finding their feet so it could well be a share of the spoils.
4. VAR CONTROVERSY. SHOULD WE WAIT UNTIL STARTY OF NEXT SEASON TO INTRODUCE IT AS OPPOSED TO MID-SEASON?
ANDY: Ideally yes but given our officials’ unfortunate habit of getting things wrong, it’s a case of better late than never.
CRAIG: It’s a viable argument. However, surely it’s better to get as many decisions right as possible, so mid-season is better than not at all.
FRASER: VAR is only going to increase the controversy and debate surrounding decisions when it’s supposed to do the opposite. That’s already happened and it’s not even here yet. Just bring it in asap.
GORDON: We shouldn’t bring it in at all. It’s a passion killer and human error is a key fabric of the game and many an argument down the pub.
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