Rangers return to Ibrox on Wednesday evening to take on Motherwell. After the substandard and dismal showing against Kilmarnock on Saturday, the home form will once again come under close scrutiny. Here are 5 storylines to follow.
1 : RANGERS FORM AT HOME.
The form at Ibrox, especially this season has been disappointing to say the very least. Already the home support has witnessed defeats to the hands of Hibernian, Celtic, Hamilton, and St Johnstone along with dropped points in matches with Hearts, and Kilmarnock the pressure is on for Murtys men to make Ibrox a fortress once again. The home form has been the major reason in the club’s inability to sustain a serious challenge at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
2 : WILL MURTY STAMP HIS MARK.
No matter your feelings on the boards descion to give Murty the job until the seasons end at least, it is now his team for better or worse. Murty now must make his mark and stamp his imprint on this group of players. Big and tough calls are needed in the short-term. He has struggled so far to make a impact with in game subs and tactical alterations.
3 : STOP THE CROSSES.
Anyone who has watched this Rangers side this season is only to aware of its kryptonite. Failing to stop cross after cross. At Rugby Park on Saturday Murty even attempted to double up with defensive cover, player Declan John in a more advanced role just ahead of Lee Hodson. It still didn’t make any difference, cross after cross was floated in causing panic in the Rangers rear-guard.
4 : WILL MORELOS BE RESTED.
Rangers have a huge season defining match with Celtic coming up on Saturday. Will Murty opt to give his forward the rest he looks like he needs, in a attempt to keep him fresh as possible for the Old firm clash. The big problem facing Rangers is just who exactly could fill Morelos’s boots, even just for this one match. Rangers lack any sort of goal threat without the Colombian in the starting line up, this would represent a huge gamble by Murty if he did. One he can ill afford.
5 : MOTHERWELL’S PHYSICALITY.
In the last meeting between the sides, Motherwell set out to be as physical as possible, in order to frustrate and intimidate Rangers, and it worked. It will be of great interest to see if the steelmen deploy the same formula. Other sides have also used this method to great effect, and the Gers will have to learn to cope and overcome the physical aspects of the game.
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Let me know your views and predictions.