That was more like it. Quick attacks, an even quicker start, chances in abundance, aggression, intensity and style. Everything that Rangers have largely lacked in the Scottish Premiership so far this season came flooding out at Tynecastle. A 4-0 win provides something to build on and a platform from which they can really launch their season. Something they’ve badly needed since the end of July.
There was the feel of an ultimatum traipsing up Gorgie Road yesterday morning. The general atmosphere that engulfed the support prior to the international break had been injected by smidgens of optimism, due to a two-week break and Celtic’s dropped points against St Mirren. That came a day on from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side edging past bottom-of-the-table Dundee United in a game that didn’t evoke any of the emotions yesterday’s match rekindled.
The manager simultaneously felt on the precipice of building momentum and losing it altogether. After such recent heavy defeats, the only possible outcome in the early kick-off had to be victory despite the season remaining young in the grand scheme of things. That's the epitome of life as Rangers manager.
Yesterday’s win was equally important in isolation, three points were a must to go top momentarily. Furthermore, it provided a positive snapshot of the future that recent matches have not. A loss against Napoli saw no new summer singings start, the aforementioned Dundee United fixture was a reincarnation of last season’s domestic problems. With slow, lethargic possession only further hampered by a midfield void of any goal threat. Contrastingly, the victory against Hearts saw summer signings impress, players come into form and a functioning, attacking structure flourish. It was a performance to top up confidence levels that had been drained.
“Of course to win 4-0 away against Hearts is a big win for us. We have started well in the last block before the World Cup,” the manager said post-match.
“It was important to get the start we did today and get the three points. Now we have two days to prepare for Liverpool.”
As he had done in a 2-0 win at the same ground last December, van Bronckhorst opted for a direct method of attack, seeking to use Hearts' aggression against them.
Robbie Neilson had said that he ‘expected’ to win in midweek given this was a home fixture and set his team up accordingly. Committing men forward with the ball and marking up aggressively in the midfield, they aimed to stifle their opponents in possession by blocking passing routes through the pitch. But in doing so, this left space higher up the pitch and Rangers had prepared for such eventualities. Ryan Kent and Rabbi Matondo stretched the play by hugging either touchline and whenever possible, the visitors looked wide and did so early. Connor Goldson and Ben Davies weren’t fazed by their midfield each having a man on their back, they knew their passing targets were higher up the field.
The opening goal originated from the left. A long diagonal got Rangers forwards and eliminated the home midfield, Colak punched the ball wide before arriving ahead of his man and connecting with a perfect Kent cross to head home. The second was strikingly similar. This time the right-hand flank was sought out by John Lundstram, dropping into the defence to get on the ball before arrowing possession forwards. Again, as shown below, one accurate pass got Rangers into the final third and eliminated the opposition midfield. This time, it was clever play by Matondo infield that provided for Colak who continues to finish with an accuracy and regularity that is quickly becoming expectation. Eight goals in as many league starts already, not bad for 1.8million.
"He's done it 𝘼𝙂𝘼𝙄𝙉!" 😳⚡
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 1, 2022
Colak puts Rangers 2-0 up! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/c96iQ0zFAB
Kent, who would go on to score a magnificent late goal, recorded his best domestic performance in months. Matondo, yet to really kickstart his Ibrox career, was forced to withstand physical challenges and a genuine horror tackle from Cammy Devlin. Unfazed, he took his moment to help make it two and demonstrated some of the qualities that excited supporters this summer. Able to dance inside given the threat his pace down the outside poses, can he now cement that position on the right?
Matondo made that type of run a few times in pre-season. Able to skip inside because of the threat his pace down the line poses. The finish from Colak is top drawer again. https://t.co/QMDeJDo6Wj
— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) October 1, 2022
There were other moments full of potential. Scott Arfield could’ve scored and had a goal ruled out. He ought to have done better with a number of final third passes that broke down attacks rather than creating chances. Alfredo Morelos came on from the bench to score his customary goal against Hearts. An atmosphere normally so difficult to quieten had by this point been quelled.
A drab league start and dominant Tynecastle win are not mutually exclusive. Rangers may have got results in the Premiership so far but they’ve often laboured to achieve them. Yesterday they were cantering to victory before Devlin saw red, the two goals prove that.
Not only does the win build much-needed momentum that has been lacking before previous Champions League ties with Napoli and Ajax, it also demonstrates this team’s capability when playing with tempo, pace and confidence. It has to be the first of many, the benchmark of performance-levels going forward.
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