What a difference a defence makes

Before I go on further, go on; get the ‘it was only Annan’ comments out of the way. *hand cups ear* done? Ok. And also bear in mind the last time Rangers faced them it was 0-0, and the first time in 2012/2013 McCoist’s men took them on, they lost.

So while Annan are certainly no Arsenal, this match had symbolic significance, not entirely alien to the significance of the previous fixture v Motherwell which also forced comparisons with the last time both teams locked horns.

Hence while Annan are not a great side, nothing could put down a market better than judging Rangers’ display versus them now compared with the recent past.

And no doubt about it, it was something higher than flying colours. But, of course, the main topic here is the defence, and just what difference the introductions of Clint Hill and Lee Hodson respectively made to Rangers’ back line, with the omission of James Tavernier and Danny Wilson.

Against Motherwell Rangers’ defence looked, at times, frightened and wholeheartedly disorganised. This was symptomatic of the entire season which preceded it, in which the rearguard was the weakness for sure.

But last night? It was night and day. Hodson’s selection provided a reliable rigidity on the right – sure, Annan did not exactly pile on the pressure, but Hodson’s positional sense and awareness of when to get forward provided the perfect balance of holding defensive shape while equally supporting the attacking third when needed.

He is not the marauding fullback attacking prowess of Tavernier; few would dispute that. But he is more reliable. Sorry James, but Hodson is the kind of right back you can depend on to read the game and stick with defensive positions on a more regimented basis. Sadly, Tavernier has proven he is not. And Hodson, lest we forget, nearly scored twice, so it is evident he carries a surprising goal threat too.

And what of the other debutant defender? Well, here is where the complete dynamic of Warburton’s back four has changed. After the disorganisation caused by three young defenders (Tavernier, Wilson and Kiernan) being naïve and unable to lead each other, in conjunction with a LB who gets forward a significant amount and often leaves the left flank exposed, there was a seismic shift in this match.

For while Wallace still charged down the left, now Clint Hill was able to fill his absence, because the 37-year old veteran never stopped barking orders around his team mates; he truly led from the back, and kept the line stable. He either roared at midfielders to support at the left when Wallace was away, or screamed at Kiernan to keep the shape – and this leadership filtered through the team.

At one point Martyn Waghorn barked at Josh Windass to get back to the apex of midfield, for the creative attacker had gotten well out of position; players guiding each other, telling each off if need be, keeping the team ticking over.

That all comes from the back, with a wily old head like Hill, and a more defensively robust RB in Hodson, the defensive line was probably more in harmony and even unison than at any previous moment under Warburton’s time at Ibrox.

Do not mistake me – Rangers have put in solid defensive shifts in some matches, but rarely has the rearguard looked as composed as it did last night.

Obviously tougher tests are to come, and Rangers will face much more pressure on their back four than they did last night, but it was a seriously positive sign for a defence which has had its critics.

The question is will Warbs stick with that four indefinitely?