It’s hard to be critical of anything Rangers this season, such is the lofty lead we have and the performances we’ve put in, but today’s display was definitely a low point, and the energy and urgency was missing pretty much for the whole 90 minutes.
In our last article, we called the team shameful and that they didn’t care. We got some abuse for that – well guess what, an honourable team who cares, ALWAYS tries for their shirt.
Today, we did NOT get that, and anyone arguing it was just a bad day at the office and nothing else is patently wrong.
We weren’t at it, 100% – we don’t disagree with those who come back with that.
But the urgency and will from our men was painfully lacking. Urgently needing a goal in the last 10 minutes or so and there was no movement, barely any shots, and the ball spent more time on the half way line than being plain launched into the box.
No one is going to tell us we’re wrong for saying that during those 90 minutes out there, this group of players did not care enough and did not show enough urgency.
Some have been arguing they’ve been a little flat for a while – we partially see where those comments are coming from, but the results overrule the validity of that point. Points and goals win prizes, you win at all costs.
But today that slight flatness caught us up and cost us two points. It’s two points we could probably afford to lose, but no Rangers team should ever be tepid and not trying hard enough just because they ‘know’ they can get away with it.
There is a growing number of players in sub-par form – and we’ll take all the abuse in the world you guys can throw at us for naming them:
Joe Aribo, James Tavernier, Glen Kamara, and Ryan Kent, as well as Alfredo Morelos, despite his fine performance at Pittodrie.
All of these are not giving us, right now, as much as we know they can. Tavernier is forgiven it such is his stellar season till recently. And Kamara and Kent have both shown a lot this season, and have just recently gone a little flat.
Aribo hasn’t performed though, and Morelos cannot use Pittodrie as his justification for starting.
And yes, I exclude Ianis Hagi because the boy just keeps working and is always the sacrificial lamb for substitutions. He’s also got a tonne of assists this season and hasn’t been woeful – he’s actually been half decent since his return.
I also exclude Steven Davis, who desperately needs a break – he’s a class player but running on 36-year old oxygen. He needs to put his feet up more but unfortunately injuries and subpar deputies (Zungu, we’re looking at you) makes this hard.
Gerrard’s Rangers have a great lead, and Celtic’s latest gaffe means this has not cost anything.
But it is definitely time to use the wider squad a little more, give the Ittens and Defoes more outings.
These are good players, and the first XI just needs a little TLC we think.
Glad you agree with me re Kent Aribo and Tav they have not been on full capacity for a few games. No hiding place for those not delivering , but as you say some players need a rest possibly an arm around them too. One or two others may need something a little bit firmer. Young Itten always does his best when he comes on and perhaps deserves a full start . Zungu showed early flashes of some ability but didn’t kick on .
Totally agree, I.N. We have been below par for a while now but still getting results. I suspect that more than Steven Wright coming in will be needed. We need to consider the possibility of bringing in Daniel Johnson (Preston) and John Lundstram (Sheffield United) as well, if not now then certainly in the summer. The squad needs freshening up so that the essential rotation can take place. Kent and Aribo need a spell on the bench; Itten, Defoe and Helander should be given more game time. We desperately need Arfield, Roofe and Jack back, fit and firing, a,s. a.p. Cover for Tavernier should also be looked at.
We have enough cover in the squad to freshen up the team. I don’t see the need to spend ANY money to bring in players we can get for nothing in the summer.
Lazy shift one to forget,lets move on and no repeat next week please
WATP🇬🇧
That performance or lack of, was the Rangers of the previous two seasons. They where playing like the league was already won! Here is my 2 pence worth on the players.
We looked flat, devoid of ideas & there wasn’t one leader on the park from the back to the front!
Tavernier, his crossing was pitiful. Kamara, I was very vocal about him in a negative manner last season due to his disappearing acts for long spells of games, yesterday he was back to his worst, I want to see Kamara fight to win the ball & driving forward, & playing neat 1/2s into the box.
Aribo, again like Kamara sat too deep at times, Aribo is most effective getting the ball around the edge of the box & winning very valuable fouls, or using his skill to pass defenders, there was next to none of this, & over all his performance seemed lazy at best.
I think the manager got it slightly wrong with the substitution, yes Itten was the only option to come on at 1-0 down, & he did what he came on to do it but Hagi should of stayed on, & Kamara or Aribo should of come off, at the stage of the game we had Motherwell pinned back & defending for there lives, we could of sacrificed a CM & kept Hagi on who was showing a lot more fight & desire than Kamara or Aribo had done, & Defoe should of been on a lot sooner. The Morale of the story is this We are sorely missing Jack & Arfield.
On a positive note to end the rant At least we didn’t lose, we are still undefeated & hopefuly the lads learn a valuable lesson from yesterday & hit the ground running for the remainder & deliver 55 soon
Agree this was definitely a throwback to last season. 41 crosses and 16 shots at goal with just one goal to show for it and I don’t recall their goalkeeper have any saves of any significance. We need to learn to shoot from 20 yards rather than shuffle the ball from side to side across the 18 yards line.
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