Is McCall good enough to manage SPL Rangers?
Stuart McCall’s Rangers record,
thanks to that ultimately comprehensive victory at the Bet Butler Stadium
yesterday reads:
thanks to that ultimately comprehensive victory at the Bet Butler Stadium
yesterday reads:
9 matches; 5 wins, three draws,
and one defeat.
and one defeat.
18 points of 27 have been secured
under McCall’s watch, compared to 15 of 27 in the previous 9 league matches
under McCoist/McDowall.
under McCall’s watch, compared to 15 of 27 in the previous 9 league matches
under McCoist/McDowall.
Now some will look and say that
sees a mere 3 point improvement; and that is absolutely correct.
sees a mere 3 point improvement; and that is absolutely correct.
However, there are a few key
factors to account for this:
factors to account for this:
Under McCoist/McDowall Rangers were
repeatedly throttled by Hibs, Raith and Hearts. Under McCall all three of those
sides have been put away with ease.
repeatedly throttled by Hibs, Raith and Hearts. Under McCall all three of those
sides have been put away with ease.
Under McCoist/McDowall there was
absolutely no plan, and most wins came from luck rather than quality. Few can
honestly say they saw a clear tactical approach and players who knew what they
were doing.
absolutely no plan, and most wins came from luck rather than quality. Few can
honestly say they saw a clear tactical approach and players who knew what they
were doing.
Under McCoist/McDowall those 9
matches yielded only four wins, and all four were against teams like Alloa and
Cowdenbeath as opposed to the best teams in the league. Add 3 draws and two
losses to Hibs and QoS (I know I know) and the McCall picture looks just a
little more impressive.
matches yielded only four wins, and all four were against teams like Alloa and
Cowdenbeath as opposed to the best teams in the league. Add 3 draws and two
losses to Hibs and QoS (I know I know) and the McCall picture looks just a
little more impressive.
The team ‘feels’ a bit more
cohesive under McCall. Many will point to that ugly defeat at Palmerston, and
that equally dismal draw in Livingston, and
those poor performances are fully worthy of criticism.
cohesive under McCall. Many will point to that ugly defeat at Palmerston, and
that equally dismal draw in Livingston, and
those poor performances are fully worthy of criticism.
But the bigger picture sees an
undeniable improvement. Youth is being given repeated chances (Hardie’s brace
yesterday is testament to this), and the average Rangers team selection now includes
Murdoch, Walsh, Hardie, Vuckic and Clark – all of whom have age thoroughly on
their side.
undeniable improvement. Youth is being given repeated chances (Hardie’s brace
yesterday is testament to this), and the average Rangers team selection now includes
Murdoch, Walsh, Hardie, Vuckic and Clark – all of whom have age thoroughly on
their side.
And with Hardie’s double yesterday
on top of Vuckic’s latest howitzer, the younger players are 100% proving they
are more than capable. While McCall has not revolutionised the youth setup,
seeing guys like Black permanently on the bench while the Murdochs of this
world play more often than not shows real progress in that area.
on top of Vuckic’s latest howitzer, the younger players are 100% proving they
are more than capable. While McCall has not revolutionised the youth setup,
seeing guys like Black permanently on the bench while the Murdochs of this
world play more often than not shows real progress in that area.
While the points tally of the
past 18 matches in the league are comparible from both regimes, promotion was
completely out of reach under McDowall. Few fans expected to be in with a
shout, but there is a true belief now that Rangers will snatch second place and
win their two playoff ties.
past 18 matches in the league are comparible from both regimes, promotion was
completely out of reach under McDowall. Few fans expected to be in with a
shout, but there is a true belief now that Rangers will snatch second place and
win their two playoff ties.
That just was not there with the
previous incumbents.
previous incumbents.
Rangers are far from the finished
product – the McCulloch shambles continues to haunt the Club – this blog has
gone on record to attempt to account for it, so no point being a broken record
on that one. And it remains disappointing that guys like McKay and
recently-announced Airdrieonians’ Player of the Year Luca Gasparotto remain on
loan as opposed to being recalled.
product – the McCulloch shambles continues to haunt the Club – this blog has
gone on record to attempt to account for it, so no point being a broken record
on that one. And it remains disappointing that guys like McKay and
recently-announced Airdrieonians’ Player of the Year Luca Gasparotto remain on
loan as opposed to being recalled.
But the improvement from Law (not
night and day but definitely tangible), the flourishing of Vuckic and the
general rise of the youth players shows that McCall is going in the right
direction.
night and day but definitely tangible), the flourishing of Vuckic and the
general rise of the youth players shows that McCall is going in the right
direction.
Whether he is good enough to
manage Rangers in the SPL is another question, but the signs are there of clear
potential.
manage Rangers in the SPL is another question, but the signs are there of clear
potential.