Steven Gerrard’s tactics for yesterday’s Boxing Day clash with Hibs, were questionable.
The manager had been very outspoken regarding his disappointment with the first half display at St Johnstone.
By contrast, things improved greatly in the second period, after the switch to 4-4-2. Yes, they had no option but to chase the game, but they looked a much better outfit after the adjustment.
After failing to even threaten in the early stages, two goals came in the last half an hour, dramatically turning the result in Rangers’ favour.
Yet, all of that seemed forgotten as the Rangers team was announced yesterday afternoon. Out went Grezda and the injured Barisic, but the same shape that failed against St Johnstone returned.
Events at St Johnstone ignored
Rather than taking the momentum from McDiarmid Park, it was back to square one.
Lafferty received praise from pundits, teammates and his manager for his impact on Sunday. His reward? Five minutes at the end on Boxing Day.
Hibs are a decent side, but they sit eighth in the table and have only won three times on the road this season: at Dundee, St Mirren and Hamilton. They were given too much respect.
If you asked their back three if they would rather face Morelos on his own or both he and Lafferty, they would obviously choose the former. With that call, Gerrard let Lennon’s men off the hook.
Yes, Rangers are struggling with injuries to key creative players like Kent and Arfield. But, they still didn’t make the most of what they have.
Visitors should be arriving at Ibrox fearing a mauling. As soon as the teams were announced yesterday afternoon, that was never going to be the case.