A remarkable stat is taking Rangers’ latest clean sheet run to a new level as Steven Gerrard’s side continue their excellent start to the season.
Right at the beginning of the campaign, the Gers recorded a remarkable eight shutouts in a row in all competitions prior to a 2-2 league draw against Hibernian at Easter Road.
There were a few lapses at the back that day and it would have been easy to undo much of the good work of the opening weeks by then going on a bad run.
However, Rangers have only conceded twice in their subsequent eight fixtures and with a 1-0 win over Lech Poznan on Thursday night, they recorded a fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
This run isn’t quite as long as the record-breaking one that kicked off the season, but delving a little further into the numbers provides a stat that takes the current achievement to a new level.
Much was made about how Rangers prevented Celtic from landing a shot on target during the first Old Firm of 2020 at Parkhead earlier in the month.
As subsequent matches have proven, though, it’s very rare that a Rangers goalkeeper is forced into a save at the minute.
In fact, the only opponent to land a shot on target in any of the Gers’ last five matches was Livingston, during their 2-0 defeat at Ibrox on Sunday.
Prior to the international break, Jon McLaughlin wasn’t tested by Ross County, while McGregor was a virtual spectator against the Hoops, Standard Liege and Poznan.
To an extent, opposition attackers are at fault. For example, Poznan fashioned several chances on Thursday night from which the keeper should have at least been worked.
Yet, the stats are a reflection of just how in control Rangers have been defensively in recent weeks against some strong sides.
The back four hasn’t stayed constant across that time, either. Calvin Bassey came in for Borna Barisic when the Croatia international picked up a niggle, while Filip Helander and Leon Balogun have been alternating as Connor Goldson’s centre-back partner.
Standards have remained sky-high, though, and ahead of an important trip to Rugby Park on Sunday, the Gers have only leaked one shot on target in 450 minutes of football.
