Rival Scottish Premiership boss Steve Robinson might scramble to defend his tragically negative Motherwell tactics in Rangers’ 3-1 win over the Steelmen at the weekend – but he’s fooling no-one.
The Northern Irish gaffer has sensationally claimed that his much-criticised 5-5-0/6-4-0 was actually a 3-5-2 as he looks to save his blushes from the match at Ibrox.
Whilst you can’t fault Robinson for settling up defensively to protect a 1-0 lead, there’s something jarring about leaping to the system’s defence then completely misrepresenting it after the fact.
Well boss Robinson was particularly salty about the criticism and claims much of it is “unfair”.
Suggesting his side must’ve upset someone with their style of play, he claimed the tactics were working up until the 73rd minute – even if did reiterate he was playing a 3-5-2.
We must have caused them problems if we’re being accused of something,” said Robinson [Scottish Sun].
“I didn’t follow any of it and I believe in what we’re doing in any case.
“Usually if we go all-out attack nobody says anything and we’re a great wee team!
“So we must have caused them problems for 73 minutes and the way that they celebrated at the end, you saw that.
“We set up 3-5-2 and asked the centre forwards to drop into wider areas at the halfway line, which was perfect in the first half.
“Once we went 1-0 up it becomes something to hang on to and subconsciously we dropped way too deep.
“But that was against a top side and we caused them a lot of problems.
“I make no apologies for playing like that.
“Did we want to be more forward-thinking? Of course. But Rangers didn’t allow us to be and we made errors that we need to work on.
“The plan worked to a tee up until 71 minutes. We were really frustrating them and there was a real togetherness.
“It was disappointing how the game finished, but we take positives.
“The criticism of the tactics is probably a bit unfair.
“If we’d held on that little bit longer nobody would have questioned the way we played.”
In the end, Robinson’s tactics made little difference as the Gers broke their Steely resolve in the 73rd minute via Kemar Roofe before Cedric Itten would get Rangers in front.
Roofe would add some gloss to the victory with a late second but Motherwell’s defensive stubbornness wouldn’t pay off.
Rangers showed superb character to come back from behind to defeat Motherwell and get back to winning ways following a bitter League Cup exit to St. Mirren last week.
Steven Gerrard’s side will be hoping to carry their strong league form forward as they face off against St. Johnstone tonight – here’s our predicted XI for the match.
