If Michael Beale is still in charge when Rangers play St Johnstone this weekend, he has to play his cards right and not repeat the recent mistakes.
A change in philosophy is needed rather than doing plan A better and much of the Gers boss’ mindset will be revealed with his first team selection.
Michael Beale has to prove that he is the right man for the Rangers job and this is who he should pick to start to win back the fans and save his job.
The changes Michael Beale has to make for Rangers
Thankfully, one position is set, even if Jack Butland is already being tomipped for an early transfer due to how much he has impressed.
The defence, despite popular misconception, had actually been pretty consistent in the league and no team gives up fewer good quality chamces, however, something has to change.
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Bringing in an extra defender might seem counter productive to scoring goals but, in possession, our central midfielder was doing this anyway.
Going to a back three allows us to progress the ball quicker and without the need for a midfielder to be taking five yard passes off the defence.
Ben Davies, Connor Goldson and John Souttar is a perfectly balanced back three and it’s a shape that plays to their strengths whilst protecting their weakness.
In midfield, Ridvan Yilmaz and James Tavernier provide the width.
One crosser and one dribbler.
One full back who likes to attack the back post and another who likes to get to the byline.
We bought Nicolas Raskin and Jose Cifuentes as number eights and that’s exactly where they should play – side by side.
Running power, ability to break pressure, aggressive passers and they like to support the attack.
Proper handbrake off stuff.
The front three is a little more difficult but Todd Cantwell should have the team built around him, Danilo is our best finisher and most mobile striker with Abdallah Sima the wide player with the best record.
Michael Beale can either go with width and pace for Rangers with Rabbi Matondo and Sima either side of Danilo or pair him with Cyriel Dessers with Cantwell pulling the strings.
The key, is consistency, of selection and tactics, choosing something that plays to the players we have bought and their strengths.
There are tweaks that can be made eg Tom a Lawrence for Cantwell or Sam Lammers for Dessers but the team is almost set.
All we need now is a manager brave enough to make the call.