What of Bilel Mohsni?
When Tunisian stopper Bilel
Mohsni joined Rangers, he instantly became a cult hero.
Mohsni joined Rangers, he instantly became a cult hero.
For the first three months of his
time at Ibrox, his cavalier dribbling into midfield, goals, and aerial prowess
drew comparisons with both Amoruso and Cuellar. He did indeed quickly become
very popular indeed.
time at Ibrox, his cavalier dribbling into midfield, goals, and aerial prowess
drew comparisons with both Amoruso and Cuellar. He did indeed quickly become
very popular indeed.
After all, Twitter immediately
spawned a @mohsnifacts account, which is an indirect way of lavishing praise on
anyone in the spotlight regarded as popular. It started with Chuck Norris, of
course, and has covered many heroes, but in Rangers circles saw Romanian
captain Dorin Goian gaining the privilege before Mohsni was drafted in.
spawned a @mohsnifacts account, which is an indirect way of lavishing praise on
anyone in the spotlight regarded as popular. It started with Chuck Norris, of
course, and has covered many heroes, but in Rangers circles saw Romanian
captain Dorin Goian gaining the privilege before Mohsni was drafted in.
Unfortunately, after around November
of his maiden season at Ibrox, the concentrations levels started to drift, the
lazy errors began to creep in, and the goal-costing calamities became his
repertoire and Mohsni became a liability rather than an asset.
of his maiden season at Ibrox, the concentrations levels started to drift, the
lazy errors began to creep in, and the goal-costing calamities became his
repertoire and Mohsni became a liability rather than an asset.
Some say partnering McCulloch was
half the problem, given the Tunisian was having to do the work of two men, but
ultimately two massive brain-burps in two recent matches consecutively have
cost one goal and nearly another.
half the problem, given the Tunisian was having to do the work of two men, but
ultimately two massive brain-burps in two recent matches consecutively have
cost one goal and nearly another.
It seems unfair to pick on the
African, given just how decent a guy he is. He regularly works in charitable
circles, never ignores a fan, and is truly as good a bloke in football circles
as you will find.
African, given just how decent a guy he is. He regularly works in charitable
circles, never ignores a fan, and is truly as good a bloke in football circles
as you will find.
But when it comes to Rangers he
has become, as it is known, a ‘bombscare’.
has become, as it is known, a ‘bombscare’.
It really is a shame, because he
does so much good work in defence, that the isolated examples of errors should
not stand out so much. But they do. His manager, Stuart McCall, is more
sympathetic to his failings than many fans:
does so much good work in defence, that the isolated examples of errors should
not stand out so much. But they do. His manager, Stuart McCall, is more
sympathetic to his failings than many fans:
“Yeah because you know something, he
did so many good things defensively in the game today – but then he’s got the
little rick in him. He has got to cut that out of his game, but he knows that. It
was a really poor error he made by trying to pass it into an area that wasn’t
on. He’s got to learn. In the first half he was really strong, coming in front
of his marker and put some good balls in.”
did so many good things defensively in the game today – but then he’s got the
little rick in him. He has got to cut that out of his game, but he knows that. It
was a really poor error he made by trying to pass it into an area that wasn’t
on. He’s got to learn. In the first half he was really strong, coming in front
of his marker and put some good balls in.”
It is a fair assessment,
highlighting the good as well as the bad. But Mohsni’s future at Ibrox is
certainly up for debate. At this critical juncture Rangers cannot make 99% good
play and lose it all on one calamity in defence, which could cost the promotion
the Club craves so much.
highlighting the good as well as the bad. But Mohsni’s future at Ibrox is
certainly up for debate. At this critical juncture Rangers cannot make 99% good
play and lose it all on one calamity in defence, which could cost the promotion
the Club craves so much.
Bilel is out of contract this
summer, and it is easy to see why, despite his frame and colossal presence,
that he has not truly made it in football. He has the attributes and the
quality but not the concentration needed to excel at the highest levels.
summer, and it is easy to see why, despite his frame and colossal presence,
that he has not truly made it in football. He has the attributes and the
quality but not the concentration needed to excel at the highest levels.
He is unlikely to make it a third
season in a row at Ibrox, and that is a bit of a shame, given what he could
have been.
season in a row at Ibrox, and that is a bit of a shame, given what he could
have been.