Should Rangers take this risk?
Last Sunday’s shambolic first half at Hampden Park, where we stood off a fast paced Celtic team and backed off deplorably, to ‘admire’ them play through us was the worst 45 minutes I have ever witnessed in a very one-sided match. Now the attention turns to Saturday’s final instalment of the Old Firm double header.
What is the best Rangers team Pedro Caixinha can select to try and get a result in the league?
Should we play a more defensive line-up at the start of the game? Picking a harder to beat X1?
Depending on what happens in the first 60 minutes, Ped could change the tactics for the last 30 minutes to a more attacking style. Especially, if we are behind in the match with 20 or so minutes to go and having to chase the game for a draw or all 3 points.
Let me explain what Walter Smith used to do against Celtic and he had more successes than any of the modern managers. He played very tightly by trying to have as many people in his side who could win the ball and then pass it.
If playing a flexible 3 – 4 – 2 – 1 formation, this is the team I would pick.
Foderingham
Bates Hill Wilson
Tavernier Holt Toral McKay
Hyndman Miller
Dodoo
Subs: Alnwick, Garner, Windass, Waghorn, Hodson, Beerman, O’Halloran
It is a risky approach, only going effectively with 3 at the back, but is it worth that?
Young David Bates can play at right back or centre back and Tavernier would play ahead of him, so they can both deal with Sinclair who is fast and a real handful if he is on form. I think we need Tavernier in the team but only as the right wing back, where he has the freedom to drive forward at every opportunity to help create real danger in the heart of the Celtic defence which is also their weakness. Also for his talent at pin-pointing free kicks around the box.
Roberts ran riot against young Beerman last Sunday and I would hope that on form Wilson and speedy McKay could take care of him at Ibrox this week.
The rest of my picks don’t need explaining.