Yesterday’s win v Livi was critical mass, truly, but what was even more enlightening about the three points was how easily they came about.
Yes, the match should have been tied up more securely in the second half, but the visitors barely laid a glove on the hosts, albeit more than Liege and Celtic did combined, so there really wasn’t a giant threat.
But what interests us is the fact a significant number of changes were made in this match, and once again the ‘deputies’ were just as adept as the ‘first-picks’.
Jermain Defoe started his first this season and his goal was… in many ways every inch as good as Roofe’s worldie in midweek. The gorgeous controlled volley from a raking 45-yard pass was simply sublime and confirmed while he’s not getting any younger, the former England international is the most clinical finisher in the SPL by a distance.
But of course he wasn’t the only cycling player. Ryan Jack came back in with in-form Glen Kamara given a rest, and while it wasn’t the most testing afternoon for the Scotland international he had the most of the ball in the team, second only to Goldson, and was efficient while getting in some tackles and interceptions.
There was also the returning Joe Aribo who got on the scoresheet early doors with some excellent positional reading. He had one really clunky piece of miscontrol early on but as he regains sharpness he’ll only get even better.
And Ianis Hagi retained his midweek slot too. It’s hard to praise Hagi in the way he deserves – he’s a lockpick with brilliant intelligence and use of the ball, but he’s not terribly strong, quick or indeed even that skilful on the ball. Instead he finds people where others just don’t and his opening assist for Aribo’s goal was absolutely remarkable.
Calvin Bassey started again, and had a great match yet again (albeit his passing average (58%) was horrific!), and many fans are actually starting to slightly prefer him to Borna Barisic. It’s just great to have that argument at all.
And then of course we had Filip Helander slotting back in with a pretty easy time of it.
Our point?
Rangers dropped Glen Kamara, Alfredo Morelos, Leon Balogun and Barisic to name just four, and were absolutely no weaker or less hungry for it.
This Rangers squad has taken Steven Gerrard three years to build, but finally we look like we have a bench just as strong as whoever starts.
And that’s priceless.
The squad looks really good and we will win 55 without doubt it’s taken SG the three seasons but we look in all departments a different level to the rest. Europe is an enjoyable route too and helps most of our squad show off their talents – Morelos apart who continues his downward trend as a petulant silly lad who is ruining his reputation even more . Onwards 55
Couldn’t agree more about alferdo, his attitude is awful ,if he was half as good as he thinks he is we’ll get 20 million for him no problem, he just needs to get his head in the zone as we have enough in an attacking sense now to say goodbye,however my hope is he’ll get on it and celebrate a great season come may ,over to you the buffalo.
I couldn’t agree more it has took 3 years to build this team, and now we are getting to see the rewards even without our best 11 we have a squad full of winners and not just at club level but also there own countries aswell. O am so proud of Steven Gerrard and the whole team including the backroom staff aswell the time for losing is over its our time now
Our time is now we will definitely get some sort of silverware this season wither it be the league title or Scottish cup or the league cup maybe even 3 and not forgetting the Europa League anything is possible with this team. We have made it 3 years in a row to qualify for it and this season we seen of Willem II and Galatasaray who are really a great team. So well done Mr Gerrard and your staff for doing a great job long may it continue I know you Steven Gerrard are the man to take is to the top of Scottish football where we belong as it’s been to long with Celtic dominating the league for the last decade
I remember a coupld if years ago playing the tic and there bench would have walked straight into our first team, id say we’ve got an incredible bench ,that don’t just warm there arse ,they come on and do the business, its early doors ,so we wont get carried away, however superb start to season and im hopeful ofca great run in Europe to fill the bank up with more reddies to spend………lets go.
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