This Saturday lunchtime, Rangers will aim to get back on track in the Scottish Premiership, with a clash against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. After the dismal display and performance of last Saturday’s encounter with St Johnstone, the players will be hoping to return to winning ways, building up momentum in anticipation of the clash with Celtic, at the month’s end. Here are the 5 storylines to keep an eye on.
1: HOW WILL THE PLAYERS RESPOND?
Saturday was unacceptable in so many ways. Losing at home (again) is bad enough, but the manner and the margin we lost by is what caused so much of the anger directed at the players at full time. Maybe it’s the pressure of playing at home, but this group of players seem to perform far better when playing away from Ibrox, will Saturday prove this point yet again? A win is a must to keep up the pressure.
2: WHAT CHANGES WILL BE MADE?
After a defeat like Saturday was, there is always clamour to make changes on a wholesale level. The chain of thought is that this will provide a much-needed reality check for some individuals who have become far too comfortable with a place in the side. While I don’t doubt there will be several changes, at least one will be enforced due to Ryan Jack serving the last game in his suspension, the overall lack of talent and squad depth mean that wholesale changes in the line up is just not possible.
3: DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER?
Murty opted to change from his recent diamond in the middle of the park to a 4-3-3 formation at Ibrox on Saturday, and it failed miserably. Sure a fair argument can be made that it was the players’ application, but there is no doubt we didn’t get the ball into the forwards fast enough, providing Morelos with the service he thrives upon. It will be interesting to see what tactical approach Murty will take.
4: WE CAN’T DEFEND ANY WORSE, CAN WE?
The manner in which Kilmarnock scored all three goals in Saturday was alarming, all season long we have failed to stop cross after cross coming into our box, if we can’t put this right we will be in for more pain and goals against Kilmarnock. Closing the ball down would also be a good idea. Much improvement is required in all defensive phases of the match.
5: WHERE WILL THE GOALS COME FROM?
We really could use some other players outside Josh Windass and Alfredo Morelos getting on the goal trail. The burden of expectation rests heavily on Morelos, at times he looks like the only player capable of getting on the score sheet, it’s about time others in the side start to ease the pressure and chip in with a few. Any team that wants to stay at the top end of the table needs goals from all areas, and that means the other midfielders need to start finding the net on a more consistent basis.
Let me know your thoughts as always
@steven_harrigan @rangersnewsuk