Rangers had a busy summer as they signed as many as 14 players in the transfer market. The club went through a major overhaul in almost all the areas, and the board backed their new but inexperienced manager Steven Gerrard quite well. The gaffer has definitely brought in a sense of positivity in the club but from the pieces of evidence showed in their derby clash this Sunday, there still seems to be some gap between the two major clubs.
However, make no mistake that the manager has brought a positive effect to the club. The Gers managed to qualify for European competition for the first time in 8 years, and we believe if the new players manage to gel soon, something special might be on at the Ibrox if not this season, then at least by the next season.
Certain new players have already played a significant part in the ongoing season, and we look at the strongest possible XI the Gers can go in with when everyone is fit.
Formation (4-4-2)
Defence
Without a doubt, Allan McGregor has been one of the stand out signings among all the acquisitions Gerrard has made. If not for his crucial saves, one wouldn’t see this side in the Europa. He was again at it in the derby as he kept his team in the game by keeping the goals conceded down to 1. For the centre-back pairing, Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson have seemingly done well so far, but they have also shown signs of vulnerability now and then. However, both of them are a massive upgrade from last season.
We believe new signing Borna Barisic gave a good account of himself in the derby and now it is time for Gerrard to trust him for the left back role. The Croatian looked defensively strong, and he just needs to work on his attacking and crossing abilities. Jon Flanagan was used as a makeshift left-back for the most parts, and we think that he can be shifted to his more natural right-back position. (Worry not Gers fans, we are not dropping club captain James Tavernier).
Midfield
Lassana Coulibaly is on loan from French outfit Angers and has missed most of the season due to an injury. However, when fit and available, we think the 22-year-old is a definite starter in the middle of the park. His robustness and pace would cause a lot of worry for the oppositions, and our opinion is that he can be the Gers version of Olivier Ntcham. To partner him, we are going in with Ryan Jack who would sit back and keep things tight in midfield.
We think pushing James Tavernier further up the pitch would be the right way to go. He has good pace, and his crossing abilities are also entirely up to the mark. Daniel Candeias and Ryan Kent have started down the right flank so far this season, but they have been found wanting. With a secure option in right back readily available, Gerrard can utilise the club captain in a more advanced position.
Scott Arfield has been average at best in a central role, and we believe it would be better to push him out to his more natural left midfield role. New signings like Eros Grezda and Ryan Kent would want that role, but until and unless both get more accustomed to the playing style of Rangers, it would be better for Gerrard to go in with the more experienced option.
Attack
It was good to see Gerrard going in with both Kyle Lafferty and Alfredo Morelos in the derby, and that would be the right way to go about business upfront. Both have decent goals scoring instincts and if they can forge a good partnership and understanding, they can be more than a handful for defenders in the league.
