Terry Butcher changed the system to a 4-4-2 with Ramsay playing at right back and Martyn Corrigan moving into midfield. The Kaiser took time to adjust to this role but he did manage to settle down eventually. While he is better in the middle of the defence, his versatility does give us some extra options.
Yet another ‘Well attack in the second half.
Keith Lasley made his first start in several months and he can be delighted with his performance. Not only did he contribute a wonderful goal, he flew into challenges and looked willing to put his foot on the ball when the midfield battle was getting frantic. Since returning from injury, Keith has been unlucky that the side was playing so well – now he is in possession of the jersey and will be hard to displace.
James McFadden was back to his creative best, it is was just a shame that he lacked composure when chances fell to him. The right foot effort he blasted over the bar will haunt him for the next week but no doubt he will be able to recover from it. David Clarkson hasn’t found the net in a few weeks but his potential is still showing. He will feel hard done by if he is dropped for the next match. One concern seems to be Richard Offiong – he just doesn’t seem to fit in with our style of play. Of course, the abundance of other strikers we have means that having him around to provide another option is no bad thing.
The formation will give Terry Butcher a headache before next week. We had won three games in a row with a 3-5-2 but we did not play badly with 4-4-2. Does he stick with the same tactics or do we go back to what was winning us games? Aberdeen will be missing Eric Deloumeaux who was sent off at Kilmarnock, a suspension which will do us no harm. We have several ‘must win’ games coming up, Aberdeen is just the first of them.