Rangers got back to winning ways this weekend, beating Livingston away by a 3-0 scoreline.

After the disappointment of losing to Kilmarnock in midweek, Steven Gerrard decided to bring Ross McCrorie and Daniel Candieas back into the starting eleven. Thus meaning that The Gers were once again playing in a 4-3-3 formation and with the same midfield and wingers that were instrumental in getting the win over Celtic just before the New Year.

The win over Livi didn’t just get Rangers back to second place in the Scottish Premiership but it should’ve also shown Gerrard that that’s his best blueprint for success.

McCrorie might be young but his presence in midfield gives the Light Blues more defensive discipline and they missed that big time at Rugby Park. He added steel and bite to the engine room against Celtic and he did the same midfield destroying job against Livingston. If Rangers have a weak-link, then it’s probably in their backline and Ross gives them added protection when he starts.

These tweets show just how influential McCrorie has been for Rangers this season:

When Ross McCrorie has started domestic games this season, Rangers are unbeaten, winning 7 out of 9, and have conceded just 3 goals in those 9 games.

I get Gerrard’s anxieties about putting so much pressure on a young man’s shoulders, but he should be a first XI mainstay.

— Ross McIntosh (@RossMcIntosh1) 27 January 2019

Actually, he came on as a sub at half-time at Easter Road, so it’s actually 7 wins in 8 starts.

Point being – when McCrorie starts in the Rangers midfield, we hardly ever concede, and usually win. https://t.co/TAoEWpfaiD

— Ross McIntosh (@RossMcIntosh1) 27 January 2019

As Ross states, Gerrard is no doubt protecting the twenty year old at times by taking him out of the team but he shouldn’t be doing it in important away games. McCrorie has shown that he has the discipline for the bigfixtures and he also gives the team extra height for aerial duels.

Gerrard is clearly keen on the youngster and stated in the summer that he’d look after player after being over exposed last season as a centre-half (Source-HITC):

“We had a player playing at centre-back position, that wasn’t his real position, he was thrown in at the deep end. He could have been easily destroyed in terms of career wise. We felt that decision was careless.”

It’s great that Stevie is on hand to protect Ross and he’s developed well under his new manager, I just feel he should be used more as the season progresses.

It also makes sense for Gerrard to keep Candeias and Ryan Kent as his wingers. We know that wide-men can be inconsistent but that means you shouldn’t drop them when they’re on-form.

Kent was brilliant on the left wing against Brendan Rodgers Celtic. Then in the next game, he’s moved to the centre and gets lost because he doesn’t have the room to flourish.

Portugese star Candeias is a terrific outlet on the right flank. He was one of Gers top players last term and he’s produced the goods yet again this term.

The former Benfica man is tenacious in the tackle, has a great presence of mind and can whip in a dangerous cross. He also has a good on-field relationship with top scorer Alfredo Morelos.

It seems folly to drop him for any big occasion.

I know Steven Gerrard likes to tinker with his team selection and with his formation but if you get to a stage when you’ve found a good core and it works then don’t change it, especially not in the tougher games.

I understand why the Gers gaffer might want to give new signings Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis more minutes on the park but they also have to earn that right. If the rest of the group is playing well, then on the most part they should keep their jerseys.

The Rangers manager needs to keep faith in the system and the players that produce the best results!

 

Posted on January 28th, 2019 by scott
Filed under: Article