The club apparently needs a “mean streak” to be successful, but instead Rangers need bravery and belief to trouble Celtic.
It’s been branded about in recent times that the club could be doing with a nastier side to its play. Former captain Barry Ferguson hinted at it in his column in the Daily Record a couple of days ago.
Many comments from Rangers fans online also seem to think along the same lines. Sure, who doesn’t want some aggressiveness in their side?
Yet, in truth, it’s just smoke and mirrors. What Rangers truly need to topple Celtic is a bit of bravery and belief. Looking at the side just now, they’re getting there, but they’re still missing it to an extent.
Parkhead prime example
The 1-0 defeat at Celtic Park is the perfect example. Rangers, for long spells, made some hard-hitting tackles and tried to let Celtic’s players know they were there.
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Where they let themselves down was a lack of belief going forward. Instead of looking to put the Celtic defence under pressure, they sat back and let them come on to them. Rangers showed plenty of defensive bite, and didn’t get cut open too many times.
But, in truth, there was a strong lack of belief or bravery from Gers at Celtic Park. They never truly looked as though they were positive that they could hurt Celtic.
To say that in order to help this Rangers need a “mean streak” is just total nonsense. It’s words people like to hear because it makes their side sound more ruthless.
Rangers have plenty of fight, that hasn’t been questioned under Steven Gerrard. They also wouldn’t have made the Europa League without it.
Dangerous train of thought?
If by mean streak we mean put terrible challenges in on opposition players, what’s the point in that? Give the compliance officer more cases to answer just because it makes the team look harder?
Celtic may look as though they have this apparent nastier side. In truth, it only looks that way because they’re a better side with more cutting edge than Rangers.
Gerrard’s side have more than enough in their locker to test Celtic’s back-line. If they had taken that approach last Sunday then the result may have been different.
In order for results against Rangers’ rivals to be different in the future, it’s bravery and belief the Gers need. A nasty streak will only bring bookings and red cards.