We’re going to be bold and just say it. Rangers have a gigantic problem at the back, and it’s a lot worse now.
Falkirk, with by far the lowest goals scored of the top 6 (45) were able to find the back of the net 3 times against Rangers.
There is no coincidence that the two lowest-rated players in Rangers’ side yesterday were James Tavernier and Jayden Meghoma. Meghoma scored a horrendous 5.8 while Tavernier was not much better at 6.1.
Centrally Djiga and Fernandez were 6.2 and 6.4.
In short, Rangers’ defence, which is in actual fact the SPL’s third best behind Motherwell and Hearts, was significantly weakened in losing both Dujon Sterling and Tuur Rommens.
Tavernier, especially, was a disaster. Beaten repeatedly on his side, he cost a penalty too, and showed, without any doubt, his legs are just not up to the task any more.
It gives Danny Rohl a huge problem. Max Aarons is no better. He’s slight, lacking in presence, and while he’s quick, he’s nowhere near the Premier League regular he used to be.
Sterling is the answer here, but he has had injury issues and of course off-field problems.
Tavernier will cost Rangers goals and points against much better sides than Falkirk.
Meanwhile Tuur Rommens’ loss is being painfully felt on the left.
We discussed on Ibrox Noise how Rangers had lost our entire left flank. We didn’t expect Mikey Moore, carrying a knock, to play, and Rohl put him out there. He was ineffectual. Half due to his own health, half due to having no Rommens to support him.
Consequently it’s a dire time for Rangers to lose width and shape, and to be going with squad FBs rather than full choice.
We fear Mikey Moore’s consequences of playing on that surface. Will that have worsened his knock? He had to go off.
We are immensely grateful for the mini-break we now have.
This is a two-week time out for the team to hopefully recover as many injuries as possible, and to potentially figure a plan going forward.
As it stands Rangers have no form fullbacks fit, and no form wingers fit.
We scraped a bizarre epic against Falkirk, but had to come back to do it.
And it gets tougher now. Rangers have a gigantic problem here.
This really is where Danny Rohl earns his wages for sure.