Backbone
There was a collective sigh of relief on Sunday in Govan. Not only from the stands of Ibrox Park but from, one would imagine, the touchline, the pitch and the directors’ box. It has been a trying few weeks domestically and in Europe, and those who have the club’s interests at heart were in need of some respite.
It was, at last, a home win, and one completed with some style, skill and entertainment. Not perfect by any stretch, but positive, and a world away from the nonsense witnessed over the preceding weeks. The midfield for the most part controlled the game, an aspect of performance which had been conspicuous through its absence for the majority of other matches. The correction of Raskin’s first half one-man suicide press after the break closed spaces which had been all tooobvious, and allowed Chuwuani and Drago to influence the game further up the pitch.
The addition of Penrice added much needed balance and thrust on the left and it is hoped that the arrival of another Serb at right back will be similarly fruitful. If the manager desires the two up top, it certainly feels like a midfield three with wingbacks is preferable to the shaky 4-4-2 we’ve seen thus far. The issue here, of course, is recruitment.
In the maelstrom of commentary circling the club since the draw in Dundee, a few of the manger’s statements have leapt from the whirlpool and landed on solid ground.
The phrase “we need help,” has been has been oft repeated as a not so gentle reminder to the board and recruitment team; however, the words which were most revealing came after the defeat in UEL qualifying:
“We need to be honest. The club’s built for the Europa League and Champions’ League…but I’m not quite sure the team is quite ready for it at the moment…”
When McInnes spilled this into the mic post-match last Thursday, he – inadvertently or otherwise – spoke not only to his own frustration but to the elephant in the room, and his words carried more weight than the sum of their syllables.
For as long as I care to remember, Rangers’ recruitment strategy, planning and execution has been woefully inadequate. From a position of strength in 20/21 and the brilliant run to the UEL Final the following year, the club has, for a variety of reasons, stumbled from window to window systematically downsizing and downgrading the squad. Even since the takeover, when finance has been less of an issue, thenaiveté on display has left a group of players of deteriorated quality and often an imbalance across positions. There have of course been exceptions, but these have only served to underline and prove the rule.
The spine of the team of the team must be addressed and time is of the essence. Arguably, we are being held up by the continued presence of Nico Raskin when the expectation for his post World Cup departure seemed to be taken as read. The ill-fortune and almost cruelly comedic timing of Chermiti’sinjury will be damaging too as funds will need to be diverted to the number 9 position. We cannot go through the season with only Shankland, Naderi and Miovski.
Having spent £6M on a goal keeper, that leaves three key positions. A dominant centre half, a number 6 who can dictate play and a centre forward who either is, or has the potential to be, the best in the league. With quality additions in these areas the chance of success is multiplied, not only through the performances these types provide but by the security that their presence engenders in others. Imagine (if you can stomach it) Gough, Ian Ferguson and Hateley. Weir, Barry and Boyd. Or, more recently Helander, Davis and Roofe. It’s hard to imagine having these types now, but until the backbone is strong the limbs won’t quite work .
We don’t need a scattergun search for ‘good’ players; we need a laser focus on specific areas. A new right winger is needed, and he could be the second coming of our lord and saviour Laudrup. Unless he is supported in these key areas, he will most likely flounder.
We have heard a lot about leaders this summer. They have a couple of weeks to get them.
Robin Erskine
