Warburton: “The first half wasn’t good enough”
Rangers manager Mark Warburton
has issued a warning to his players that he was far from pleased with the first
half display, and was extremely disappointed that it took ‘until the 43rd
minute’ for his players to register a level of football he was satisfied with.
has issued a warning to his players that he was far from pleased with the first
half display, and was extremely disappointed that it took ‘until the 43rd
minute’ for his players to register a level of football he was satisfied with.
Speaking after the humbling of
Hibs at Easter Road, Warburton, while pleased with the overall result, was
resolute in his criticism of the sub-par opening period of the match.
Hibs at Easter Road, Warburton, while pleased with the overall result, was
resolute in his criticism of the sub-par opening period of the match.
He said:
“For us, the result is pleasing of course,
for the fans and the tremendous support they gave us but the first half wasn’t
good enough. What I’ve learned from this group of players in a short period of
time is their honesty, and they recognise the first half was way below the
required level. Good reaction, but still there’s a lot more to come from what
is a talented group of players.”
for the fans and the tremendous support they gave us but the first half wasn’t
good enough. What I’ve learned from this group of players in a short period of
time is their honesty, and they recognise the first half was way below the
required level. Good reaction, but still there’s a lot more to come from what
is a talented group of players.”
He especially highlighted the
technical aspects he was deeply concerned with:
technical aspects he was deeply concerned with:
“We didn’t pass the ball, we didn’t take
care of the football, didn’t dominate the football, runners came off of us, we
were hesitant with slow decision-making, and it wasn’t us.”
care of the football, didn’t dominate the football, runners came off of us, we
were hesitant with slow decision-making, and it wasn’t us.”
What is pleasing for Rangers fans
in hearing this is learning Warburton will not be easily satisfied. Despite a
rout away from home, he keeps the players grounded by pointing out the poor
first half, and the improvement he expects, and the standards he demands.
in hearing this is learning Warburton will not be easily satisfied. Despite a
rout away from home, he keeps the players grounded by pointing out the poor
first half, and the improvement he expects, and the standards he demands.
This article may seem
unnecessarily negative, but the previous two were espousing nothing but praise
of the team; however, the manager’s job is not to butter his players up, but to
find what is wrong and fix it – and by highlighting the incredibly poor start
Rangers made, he has identified a failing.
unnecessarily negative, but the previous two were espousing nothing but praise
of the team; however, the manager’s job is not to butter his players up, but to
find what is wrong and fix it – and by highlighting the incredibly poor start
Rangers made, he has identified a failing.
And that is the only way Rangers
will keep getting better.
will keep getting better.