Rangers legend Kris Boyd insists Cyriel Dessers, Danilo and Sam Lammers all ‘failed’ as Mick Beale’s attack drew a blank during Sunday’s 1-0 Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic at Ibrox.
The home fans must have been licking their lips in anticipation when the news of Celtic’s starting XI filtered through at around 11am. Gustaf Lagerbielke – the summer signing with only one Scottish Premiership appearance under his belt – partnering Liam Scales, returning to Parkhead after a loan spell at Aberdeen.
As far as Boyd is concerned, then, it is a damning indictment of Rangers’ three new forwards that the hosts ended the game with only three shots on target, the contrast between those at one end and the dead-eyed ruthlessness of matchwinner Kyogo Furuhashi at the other very much a case of ‘night and day’.
Rangers forwards flop in Celtic defeat
“They were there for the taking at the weekend. Even I would have fancied myself to score against that back four,” an exasperated Boyd, who certainly knew where the back of the net is, tells the Scottish Sun.
“Only James Tavernier and a fit Kemar Roofe look like scoring right now. Given all the money spent on attacking reinforcements that is a sad indictment.
MORE RANGERS STORIES
“Once again Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Danilo all failed to deliver.”
In a game of fine margins, Dessers was a controversial VAR call away from assisting Roofe’s first-half opener. Lammers, meanwhile, could and most certainly should have levelling the scoring late on, doing everything right but the finish.
‘I am fed up’
Boyd, however, has little appetite for excuses; patience already wearing thin not only with Beale but also with three players who set Rangers back a cool £14 million. The boos which rang around Ibrox after Lammers was introduced in Roofe’s place told it’s own story.
“I’m fed up hearing how hard guys like Dessers and Todd Cantwell work,” Boyd adds. “It might look good when they chase down lost causes. But too often they lose shape by pressing on their own and then leave their team-mates in trouble.
“It happened countless times with (Callum) McGregor given the freedom of Ibrox to control the game.”