Rangers return to Europa League action this week with an away trip to Sweden to face familiar foes Malmo in the first of eight league games.
The Europa League draw wasn’t exactly kind for Philippe Clement and this is one of the fixtures that the manager will have targeted to get something from.
It’s not going to be easy though with Malmo manager Henrik Rydstrom going as far as to hail one of his players as a “genius”.
Rangers will have to be wary of Malmo’s midfield maverick
Aside from the shambles at Parkhead, Rangers form has been more than acceptable and there have been increasing signs that the Gers boss is getting a tune out of his new-look squad.
At Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup against Dundee, Rangers put in the sort of display that will give fans hope.
Three goals and the sort of attacking performance that suggests new additions like Nedim Bajrami will make a difference.
The Light Blues will have to be good out of possession though with Rydstrom declaring that Anders Christiansen is the man for Clement to watch in the pre-match analysis, as reported by The Rangers Review:
“He is a genius. But it is important that he stays on the right side of the law too.
“He has been missing for the past two matches and what a difference he made to our side.
“He can do everything and will have a very important role against Rangers.
“I think the whole team is in good form right now and we are looking forward to the game.
“We always play to win and we have definitely targeted started the competition with a win against Rangers.”
Rangers tactical tweak could help to nullify Christiansen
Christiansen operates in an area where Rangers have seen questions asked this season – midfield.
Clement doesn’t seem to quite have the balance right; however, a tactical tweak has seen Tom Lawrence drop deeper from his number 10 role and things have improved.
Bajrami was signed for £3.4m but not to play on the wing and he will want to move into a more central role as soon as possible.
The Gers boss tried Dujon Sterling and Connor Barron against Dundee, probably with one eye on this fixture and Christiansen’s influence, but it didn’t click and the most obvious option is to bring Nicolas Raskin back into the team instead.
The Belgian is a better passer and more natural fit in the engine room.
Clement needs to build momentum and an early away win in Europe would be huge boost for a squad and manager that has taken an early season battering, it would also give Rangers room for manoeuvre with a long list of big clubs on the Europa League horizon.
