So much of yesterday’s team selection stood out, and we’ve discussed Jason Cummings’ continued absence as well as the bizarre selection of Kenny Miller, but the choice which really bothered us more than any other was Graham Dorrans.
It was obvious inside 15 minutes against Motherwell that the attacking midfielder was wasted alongside Greg Docherty. We gave his poor display v Motherwell the dispensation of his return from injury and his being out of position, but that was Graeme Murty’s doing.
When selected again in the same slot against Dundee, eyes really did roll.
Why the heck is Murty wasting one of Rangers’ theoretically best creative assets by keeping him in the anchor position?!
The only time Dorrans did any damage was one of his rare forays into the opposition half where he really can thrive, before feeding Candeias brilliantly with a neat pull back.
Otherwise he was left isolated in an alien slot unable to really impart the kind of impact he wanted, and was frankly invisible the entire second half, that assist aside.
We cannot quite understand Murty’s logic here – he has a high-quality former Scottish international with years of top flight EPL experience yet, like Pedro before him, wastes him completely by playing him deep and not letting him express himself.
One of the stand out displays from the 30 year old was at Perth last year when he was more free to roam forward, and used his vision and range to attack with purpose and set up a beautiful assist through lob for Candeias (again) to finish from.
That is how he can do damage – by being in the more advanced areas and being creative.
Being held back in deeper midfield is absolutely pointless, and it isn’t like Rangers lack proper defensive midfielders these days.
No, this one has us bewildered, and it has also led to a dramatic loss of form from Docherty, who previously worked with a proper DM in Sean Goss perfectly in tandem – the 21-year old had been one of Rangers’ best players this calendar year, but thanks to his gameplan being pushed out of kilter with Dorrans next to him, he looks a lot less impressive.
And yet Murty seems to have decided that’s the way forward.
We’re a bit lost by it all, frankly, and a flattering 4-0 scoreline isn’t going to justify for us what was a poor decision which wasted a number of our best players. Especially Dorrans.
One quick question. When we're playing a team from the foot of the league – at Ibrox – why do we need four defenders and two defensive midfielders?
The fact Dundee are a weak team who were tired from playing the tims midweek papered over the cracks.
Rangers were as poor as they were against Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Celtic.
I am embarrassed to say this, but i walked out at half time. I always stay till final whistle but kenny millar instead of Cummings and dorrans in front of the defence.i just couldn't stomach watching any more of this nonsense. I will renew my season ticket as usual but to be honest i am just going through a sense of loyalty rather than any hope or enjoyment. Sorry this is so downbeat but thats what i feel right now.
Agreed Mate!
#OurBelovedIsAShambles 💙👎
Some are gonna slate me but a 4/2/3/1 next week would be our best options,
Fod,
tav, Martin, micorrie, John
Halliday and Docherty
Cardoso, dorrans, murphey
Morales
In the last old firm game we need someone in midfield to push the team forward and the only player we seem to have that will stand up is Halliday.
I agree he's the man to snuff out the danger just needs to concentrate for 90 mins and he's a player too many slippy passes from him in games gone by, gotta say tav needs to stay at rb stop trying to be a superhero and do the basics
Stuart, I am not going to slate you, but personally I would change two of your selections. I would have Alves in for Martin and anybody, almost anybody on the right wing EXCEPT our young CB, Cardoso!!
Did you maybe mean our Candyman, the one and only Candeias? God I hope so PMSL 🙂
Halliday is a weak link, I would have McCrorie in that defensive midfield role or if Rossiter is fit then I would play him there. Halliday is not a defensive midfield player, I would even have Goss ahead of him! That said Murty will probably play Miller again, drop Docherty and play Dorrans in defence!
Sorry Candeias, stupid auto correct. And rossiter is untested in a big game. Halliday we know can deal with brown
Halliday???!!!, Worst player in the Rangers squad by far! McRorie got caught several times yesterday and was lucky Dundee did not have their shooting boots on. Shellic will not miss on Sunday. Push McCrorie into DM, and push Halliday out of the door! He is woeful, short memories folks!!!
Some people on here live in cloud cuckoo land.
"Bring back Rossiter if fit". Seriously!!! 1. He is not fit, he never is. 2. I doubt he is as good as some people seem to think he is. 3. If available how do you expect him to last the game?
Then someone else suggests playing O'Halloran!!! Like Murty is suddenly going to bring him in from nowhere. I'm already worried about the match fitness of Dorrans, McCrorie and Miller without throwing in O'Halloran and Rossiter.
Miller and Dorrans was a Joke!
Should have been a different formation and should have been cummings instead of miller with Dorr in his Natural Position! …Its common sense ffs!!
This is why murty should not be our permenant manager he makes to many stupid changes it's not the first time he has made bad choices I would unleash Cummings on celtic and if necessary have miller as sub I would also bring Docherty back and possible ohallaron on the bench . We need to bring that cocky bunch back to earth we through the last one away the team need to their backsides kicked to waken them up
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