Rangers' attacking bounce finally arrives as variety and pace provides elusive answer

The euphoria that came from an Old Firm victory amid a squad Covid outbreak celebrated the supposed end of a tumultuous spell. As a way to win was found against Hibs, a different side of this team was there to be enjoyed.

Yesterday’s success bookends the longest sustained positivity that has been seen this campaign. A glut of games not without defensive errors or missed opportunity – but with far more entertainment and optimism than August or September combined.

Comparison of this season to last will always lead to a focus on what is lacking. And while that is of equal importance, the improvement in attacking variety is stark to the win-ugly mantra spun out earlier this season.

Key players have returned, summer arrivals have settled and the variation at the top end of the park improves game upon game. Errors appear more individual than the systemic high-line concern and disjointed press evident in earlier months.

Yesterday’s 4-2 win over Ross County was a chance taken or two away from the pronounced manner of the Motherwell win – but those above themes were present. 

Ryan Kent wasted no time settling in upon his return to the first team against Brondby and looked nearer his best during an hour-long cameo. He is one of this team’s most important features. On a day like yesterday, Kent looks a level above many he shares a pitch with.

READ MORE: Why driving wingers could be Rangers' next tactical variation that Steven Gerrard is 'working on'

Undisputedly, the concession of the opening goal both in isolation and as part of a collective is a concern. It’s the fifth consecutive match in which it’s taken a goal instead of the referee’s whistle to tell the team it’s time to attack.

The yielding was a by-product of lethargic approach play. Like teams who have come before them this season, Ross County arrived at Ibrox with a plan to stop central ball progression and take their chances on the space left out wide. A failure to stretch and test that method led to Ianis Hagi overplaying in the wrong area, John Lundstram losing possession and Rangers falling behind.

Avenues through the lines started to be created by Kent as the hosts grew in their control. Unlike matches against Hibs or Aberdeen, a route back felt inevitable – the crowd’s ire was more aimed at the current mandatory handing out of one-goal gains.

The match was levelled from the front post by Joe Aribo. He often plays an unseen role in set-piece routines but this time his header was flicked in as opposed to on.

The second phase of a subsequent corner then gave cause for more celebration. Kent, stationed to the left of the penalty area, cut onto his right and found the far corner with a dipping drive.

Juninho Bacuna was making his first home start since arriving this summer - stationed as the left-sided No.8. His role from a deeper position than previously seen domestically created space. Bacuna didn’t try to just recycle the ball wide against a deep defence - waiting for a get out of jail free card in the form of a cross.

He bypassed markers to disrupt defensive banks and looked to burst into the penalty box. His first 45 foreshadowed the goal to come soon after the break when, after Fashion Sakala regained the ball high up the pitch, the 24-year-old played a one-two with Aribo before scoring from the edge of the area.

“I got my chance and I took my chance,” he told RangersTV. Bacuna’s individual profile in that deeper role gives this squad another way to dissect well-drilled defences.

A following fourth goal also owed its origins to perfectly-timed combination play. Aribo this time attracted three opponents to commit to the prospect of him cutting onto his left foot while James Tavernier galloped into the space to his right. Having assisted his 100th Rangers goal earlier, Tavernier saw a cut-back turned goalward by Alex Iacovitti.

That came on 60 minutes and more looked likely to follow – Kemar Roofe could conceivably have scored twice from the bench. However, Jordan White would be the game’s last goalscorer, turning inside the box and profiting from too much room allowed by Calvin Bassey - who by that time had moved to the centre of defence.

Bassey could be seen in conversation with technical coach Tom Culshaw at the final whistle - presumably discussing his role in White's strike.

READ MORE: 3 burning Rangers issues as Ryan Kent's magic lights up Ibrox win over Ross County

In analysing this past month - and more closely the past week domestically - there is far more reason to believe the team are nearing their level. Important players such as Kent and Ryan Jack returning brings an undisputed quality increase. And all three summer arrivals have now had their arrival moments.

Sakala’s performance yesterday was different to his hat-trick showing in Motherwell, but ‘equally pleasing’ to Steven Gerrard. The Zambian worked hard and created room, looked far more cohesive in his link-up play and stretched the defence.

Following wasteful home outings against Hearts and Motherwell, the clinical nature of each goal yesterday is particularly gratifying.

“There have been games where we haven’t been creative enough and our variety hasn’t been there," Gerrard said post-match.

“We’ve been building towards looking like this and I think we’re really close to being at our best in terms of creation, variety, throwing the goals around the team.

"Now, and I’ve just said to the boys, we need to stop conceding sloppy goals and giving teams a headstart."

With variation on the up, cutting out such concessions will see Rangers reach their best.