One of the accusations thrown at the current Rangers team is that they are plagued by a soft centre.
Steven Gerrard would always reiterate the need to win the battle and earn the right to play football, however, the current Rangers squad doesn’t seem to grasp this concept until it is two goals behind.
Cut from the same cloth, interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson will end up with a hairline like Philippe Clement’s if he’s not too careful, seeing his team gift goals and fail to compete until it is too late.
What he is learning, is that there is a core of players who he can trust and a selection who don’t seem to be too much longer for the Ibrox parish.
One who can be part of a successful future is Mohamed Diomande, whose influence is growing at Rangers.
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Mohamed Diomande explains Rangers fall-out
Speaking after the dramatic late draw against Aberdeen, the 23-year old midfielder revealed that he is adding a new dimension to his game:
“It’s part of the game and I think he’s a good guy but on the pitch, he’s [Graeme Shinnie] a bit tough,” Diomande said explaining the post-match fall out with the Aberdeen skipper.
“I like that also because I’m also tough on the pitch and I’m not going to be taken down easily. So, if he steps on my toes then I’m going to stand up for myself.
“I think that’s what happened and after the game, we shook each other’s hand and then we moved on.”
Do Rangers have a soft centre?
The truth is, Rangers have never replaced Filip Helander, Ryan Jack or Alfredo Morelos.
Three players who Gerrard loved, not just because they were good players, but because they could do the dirty side of the game as well as look after the ball.
In the current Rangers squad, Dujon Sterling is maybe the only member who has a natural physicality and aggression, whilst also having the technical attributes needed too.
Nicolas Raskin and Diomande don’t mind rolling their sleeves up, but they aren’t quite at the level where they could be classed as being dominating midfielders and they need help this summer.
Nils Koppen has another rebuild on his hands and signing players like Robin Propper and Nedim Bajrami could cost him and the next manager their jobs.
