Lassana Coulibaly’s form at Ibrox has gone way off the boil, and it looks as though Steven Gerrard has noticed it too.
The Gers midfielder has failed to keep up his performance levels after a storming start to life at Ibrox. A nasty thigh injury took its toll as Coulibaly missed over a month of action between August and September.
Despite that, Gerrard has featured Coulibaly in Rangers’ last 10 matches before St Mirren. There’s been something off about him throughout them. Whether it be poor passing or not looking as energetic, Coulibaly has dropped his performance levels.
It’s been noticeable considering the good work of the midfielders around him. Ryan Jack continues to excel, whilst Ovie Ejaria is improving on a weekly basis. Scott Arfield may be struggling to get back into form, but over Coulibaly’s appearances he’s outshone the Malian.
There was a clamor during the early stages of the season for Rangers to sign him up permanently. After all, the on-loan Angers man was full of life in his early days at Ibrox. His energy and breaking up of the play was a huge part as to why Rangers qualified for the Europa League.
Struggling to perform
Keeping up those performance levels, however, has been a struggle for him since his injury return. Fans have wanted him dropped for weeks, and Gerrard finally looks like obliging.
The Rangers manager didn’t field Coulibaly against St Mirren. Added to that, the midfielder was hooked after only 56 minutes against Kilmarnock.
It could be the case that Gerrard is just resting him. After all, perhaps a short spell on the sidelines will be the best thing for him in the long-term. Allowing the three in-form midfielders to strut their stuff over Coulibly is the correct thing to do.
This is by no means the end for the Angers man, or anywhere near it for that matter. Gerrard will put him back into the side when he feels necessary, and Coulibaly will have to impress at that point.
It’s a shame for Rangers supporters. Many saw Coulibaly as the man they needed to spearhead a title charge. He was supposed to be the enforcer who stopped teams from getting their own way against Rangers.
Instead, he’s gone woefully off-form and hasn’t looked like rediscovering it.
Gerrard has listened to the supporters’ calls, but now it’s down to Coulibaly to work his way back to his previous performance levels.
