Rangers are winless in three games now with their 0-0 stalemate against Ross County on Saturday. Many touted the Gers to be challenging for the title this season after making their comeback to the Premiership winning the Championship convincingly last season but Mark Warburton’s boys have let them down big time. After six games into the Premiership, the most successful Scottish club ever have managed to clinch just two wins so far and have looked far from a team capable of challenging Celtic’s recent monopoly in Scottish football.
Just seven goals scored in six games shipping nine, Rangers must improve big time or else this season promises to be an easy walk in the park for their arch rivals Celtic. Warburton must come up with a plan to get his side back on track as early as possible and here are three things he needs to do.
Tweak his tactics
Just like last season, Rangers boss Mark Warburton has been using a 4-3-3 formation. Rangers are quite slow in their build-up and like to play more of a possession-based game. That has not been fruitful at all for the Gers as they have continuously struggled to create goalscoring opportunities. Rangers have a gifted and experienced number ten in Niko Kranjcar who could add a lot of creativity if used properly but the Croat has struggled to make his mark as a number eight in a 3-man midfield.
A 4-2-3-1 system could potentially add more spark to Rangers. The Gers do have a solid squad depth and quality players in each position and a change in system could grind the best out of each and every individual.
Use Waghorn as a striker rather than a wide forward
Rangers have struggled for goals in recent weeks. Veteran Kenny Miller did a decent job when Waghorn was out injured but Rangers need far more proficiency up front.
Since his return from injury, Waghorn has been consistently used as a wide forward which makes the least sense. Why waste the best striker you have in an unnatural position? Warburton must deploy Waghorn up front as the focal point of the attack.
Play a double pivot in midfield
Joey Barton has just done the thing he does best. The Englishman has been suspended by Rangers after a training ground mishap which leaves a big void to fill in the middle of the park. None in the Rangers team comes even close to the experience and the eye for passes Barton possesses.
Rangers have been pretty average defensively this season and should use a double pivot in front of the back four whose job will be to sit deep and protect the back four as well as dictate the tempo of the game. Rossiter and Halliday are the best two candidates for the role while Jason Holt is also a strong contender.
