If there’s one complaint Rangers fans have had (ok there’s many) over the past decade, it’s the perceived lack of goals direct from set plays, something often pointed out on Ibrox Noise. Rangers set piece improvement requires work.
Truth
But the truth is a bit more intriguing, Rangers actually topped the SPL in 2022 with 14 goals in that manner and last season it was 11 with Hibs at the top with 17, as discussed on Ibrox Noise.
Celtic, for reference, were at just 9 despite winning the league, which adds further weight to Ibrox Noise’s analysis.
So the news Rangers are looking into a set piece specialist is curious, particularly after Rangers confirmed Danny Röhl as head coach.
Celtic
Indeed, Celtic have just one goal from a set piece all season, Rangers have 5, and reports such as Give Me Sport’s coverage suggest Röhl is driving this idea.
Hearts lead with 9 which only reinforces the competitive balance noted by Sky Sports.
Rangers are middle of the road in this area – not as awful as the fans think, but we could be better.
So the addition of a potential specialist is interesting, and it’s a Danny Röhl-driven appointment, not a Thelwell one.
Is it something Rangers need?
Complaints
Rangers fans have long complained about a lack of goals from set piece, and while we’re not top of the tree in that department, it’s better than Celtic are. It could always be better, to be a real threat from set pieces, and to be able to borderline guarantee goals in that way.
The days of having a pinpoint delivery seem long gone, with the equal days of a bruiser in the box who soaks such delivery up.
But we are still scoring in that department, and with 5 this season it’s not dire.
Focus
The real focus is actually open play. Rangers have 9 in open play but Celtic boast 15. Rangers simply do not create enough goals via the bread and butter football on the pitch and are middle of the road both there and indeed set pieces.
This is the baseline issue – Rangers are too middle of the road in too many departments and set pieces are one of them.
But Rangers set piece improvement is only part of the problem and a lot else also needs fixing too.