Whoever replaces Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Ibrox has a big job on their hands to stabilise in the short term and build for the long haul.
Trailing Celtic by nine points in the league with trips to Dingwall and Pittodrie before the new year Old Firm game, there is no wiggle room if the league title is to remain a possibility.
Beyond that, the new manager will be tasked with overseeing a squad rebuild which undoubtedly has to happen next summer. It appeared as though van Bronckhorst had given the core of this team a fresh cycle but in hindsight, a lack of change brought more of the same. Undoubtedly signings will be required in January before an influx next summer.
While out of form, suffering badly from injuries and the confidence drop that recent months have catalysed, this is not a squad without ability. The numbers out of contract next summer signifies the fleeting nature of starting a new cycle with this cohort but still, the season cannot be declared null and void in November.
So, what are some of the potential systems that could help Rangers’ new manager make an impact?
All formation images are in-possession shapes, looking at how the side will line up when they have the ball.
Altering the 4-3-3
Initially, playing with wide wingers and high No.8s proved effective for van Bronckhorst in domestic football. Over time, as teams learned to deal with direct attacks the midfield often looked misbalanced.
Take the pass network from the Dutchman’s final game in charge against St Mirren. With two midfielders high, wingers wide and full-backs deep, the centre of the pitch is open against the ball and lacks options with it.
Too often van Bronckhorst's football missed out the midfield and lacked control as a result.
Compare that with Steven Gerrard’s final trip to the SMiSA stadium as Rangers boss. Notice full-backs stretching the pitch, plenty of central bodies and an extra central midfielder to aid ball progression forwards.
It’s not as if Gerrard’s system was without its issues, however, the results achieved in the league were stronger and more consistent. And the overall structure of his team was better drilled domestically.
If the new boss was to prioritise packing the centre in a 4-2-3-1 or narrow 4-3-3 shape it could help in both attacking and defensive transitions, as well as improving the balance behind the ball.
This system could offer Ryan Kent more freedom centrally, cater to the lack of right-wing options and provide a structure that accommodates the attacking profiles offered by the likes of Malik Tillman, Alex Lowry, Tom Lawrence and Ianis Hagi in one of the two examples below.
Finding a way to go two up top
There’s always an argument for ball-dominant teams to get as many goalscorers in any given starting XI. Because Rangers don’t boast wingers with excellent offensive numbers and have lacked a second player to add goals in the front line ever since Kemar Roofe’s contribution in the 55 season, a new boss could well centre his plans around a front two.
As detailed in an earlier piece, Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak possess different enough qualities to make such a partnership potentially viable.
The below radar compares the former’s Premiership output last season with the Croatian forward’s performance this season.
What does this radar show?
- Despite almost the exact same xG (quality of chance) shots and touches in the opposition box, Colak’s goal return is almost twice as good as Morelos' per 90.
- Colak’s shot touch is an interesting parallel regarding his superior finishing ability. Nine percent of his touches are shots to Morelos’ five, a total only surpassed by Kyogo (10) and Giorgios Giakoumakis (11) league-wide.
- Morelos’ superior xGBuildUp, passing and xGassisted numbers demonstrate a stronger ropensity to link and build play, before creating for his teammates.
Could the duo play in a dynamic 4-4-2 as a result? With Kent providing width, Ridvan Yilmaz inverting from left-back next to John Lundstram, a more attacking midfielder pushing higher, James Tavernier offering width on the right and Lawrence inverting.
Playing one narrow full-back and inside forward from the right would suit the plethora of central attacking midfield options available. With Morelos acting as a link and Colak remaining on the last line of defence.
Opting for inverted full-backs
Van Bronckhorst trialled inverted full-backs at different stages during his year at Ibrox. Arguably, this trial was rarely fully attempted in the Premiership.
Rangers lack a deep-lying dictating midfielder but in Tavernier and Ridvan have technically-able full-back who can help lighten that load.
Tavernier can play any variation of the full-back role and has played infield at points during van Bronckhorst's time at the club. Ridvan is more pass-heavy than cross-heavy and comfortable in the modern, inverted role of a full-back.
This would protect the centre against transitions, create overloads in the middle and allow for greater control of the ball. Catering for two attacking midfielders to receive in gaps by providing balance behind them.
Touchline-hugging wingers haven’t been a huge hit in recent months but perhaps in a better-functioning system, their benefits would be more evident.
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