Philippe Clement looks like the type of manager who isn’t afraid to make the big decisions, in two games as Rangers manager he is already stamping his authority on the team.
With no left-backs available, it would have been easy to shoehorn Ben Davies or Adam Devine into an unnatural position, instead, he has taken a braver approach.
Changing formation my seem like a risk, however, Philippe Clement’s pre-match interview with Rangers TV is all the explanation that is needed.
Philippe Clement makes massive Rangers call
With Sparta Prague likely to set up in their customary 3-4-3, Rangers have taken to the field in a similar 3-5-2 as explained to RTV by the manager:
“Davies is not a natural left full-back so we’ll play with three at the back. It’s more natural for him and they’ve done it in the past.
“I think it’s the best way to start and we play in a 3-5-2.
“Missing two full-backs, what I didn’t want to do after a good game, you want to build on that but we didn’t have another solution in that way.
“The team trained well, they’re focussed, so I expect a good game.”
Playing players in their best positions has been something of a novelty of late.
Rangers usually have James Tavernier playing higher up on the right-hand side so Ben Davies joining Connor Goldson and John Souttar in a back three means that he will have greater license to attack.
Abdallah Sima on the other side will be wasted if he has to spend most of the night in his own half.
Looking at the bench, Philippe Clement is limited in terms of the changes he can make but at least had players like Todd Cantwell and Sima who can change position if Rangers adjust their shape.
All because Rangers didn’t select their two left-backs in the squad…
