You often hear the phrase ‘the perfect storm’ in reference to a rare combination of circumstances that impacts a result. It is a phrase that, although typically deployed in a positive context, could equally apply to Rangers’ League Cup exit at the hands of Hibernian last month.
Hibs boss Jack Ross had spoken before the match about his side approaching the game with confidence after running the Gers close in previous fixtures. Only a Ryan Porteous first-half red card swung the game in Rangers’ favour in the league contest this season, while half of the games between the sides last season ended in a 1-0 victory for Steven Gerrard’s men.
Largely, Hibs’ relative joy against Rangers had come about through their wing-back system. In their 1-0 defeat at Ibrox on Boxing Day last season Hibs spurned a glorious chance to take the lead inside the opening minutes when Josh Doig broke unopposed down the left flank and crossed for Martin Boyle who slid the ball just past the post.
For the success Rangers enjoyed on both domestic and continental soil with the narrow 4-3-3 and its variations under Gerrard, it increasingly became susceptible to width from opponents. Those who deployed wing-back systems tended to trouble Rangers. It was perhaps fitting the issue bit hardest in the game preceding Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s arrival as the new manager.
To underline this, it’s worth highlighting Standard Liege’s opening goal against Rangers in last season’s Europa League group stages at Ibrox.
The Belgians lined up in a 3-4-3 formation and, in the example below, they are able to play a switch out to the left wing-back in acres of space. This is because Scott Arfield (highlighted) is being pinned centrally by the Standard central midfielder.
With the outside central midfielders in Rangers’ defensive system under Gerrard tasked with shuttling across to close down the full-backs/wing-backs, it allows Standard to progress the ball down the flank. James Tavernier is then forced to step out of the defensive line to pressure the ball.
Standard are then able to create a domino effect, with the left forward dragging Connor Goldson out of the central area before crossing for his side to score from close range.
That evening, Standard were able to create 1.1 xG against Rangers, with over 80% of that total coming from their two goals. It showed that intelligent utilisation of the flanks was key to unlocking Gerrard’s defensive structure.
Van Bronckhorst’s arrival has, of course, marked a shift in approach. As he spoke to the media for the first time as Rangers boss the day after the defeat to Hibs, he made no secret of his desire to implement changes.
It’s worth going back to Rangers’ 2-2 home draw with Aberdeen in October and noting the extreme width the visitors played with, stifling Rangers in the process.
Like Standard Liege, Aberdeen played with very aggressive wing-backs, supplemented by inside forwards, to help stretch Rangers horizontally. With such vast areas for Rangers to cover defensively, it made it very difficult to sustain a coordinated press.
In the example below, Aberdeen are able to utilise their superiority on the flanks. As Dean Campbell strides forward with the ball, Jonny Hayes (circled) is able to pin Tavernier out wide – preventing the Rangers captain from stepping out to engage – while Lewis Ferguson steps inside to offer a passing option.
With Rangers shuffling across, the midfielder is able to switch the ball out to the opposite flank where Funso Ojo (operating as the right wing-back) is able to control with time and space.
Gerrard spoke about the need to adapt tactically in an interview with RangersTV in pre-season after three full terms at the club. With Nathan Patterson having emerged as a first-team option over the previous campaign, the former Rangers boss hinted that a potential solution to his side’s issues against width would be to place both in the same team. Putting his words into practice, however, proved a completely separate issue before his departure in November.
It was fitting that van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox bow ended with Patterson and Tavernier on the same pitch in the win over Sparta Prague.
The Dutchman referenced post-match that the aggressive positioning of Sparta’s left-back inspired the substitute, and the benefit of having greater occupation in wide areas is evidenced below.
As Sparta move the ball across the width of the pitch, Patterson’s positioning (circled) is more proactive and on the midfield line.
This ensures that he’s goal side of the Sparta left-back and ready to engage as Rangers shift across.
With Patterson’s body positioning arced towards showing his opponent down the line where Tavernier can move across and create a 2v1, the Sparta left-back elects to move inside where Davis has shuttled over to help snuff out the danger.
Patterson’s introduction also allowed Rangers to morph into a three-at-the-back formation, with Tavernier tucking inside in the defensive phase to help guard against crosses delivered into the box and the Scotland international effectively man-marking Sparta’s left back.
Calvin Bassey’s words after the game were telling. “Because of the last few games when we’ve conceded first, [the manager] told us to be strong and that it’s easier to defend with 11 players than seven or eight for example.” It referenced the previous system where the front three were instructed to stay high and ahead of the ball, facilitating turnovers higher up the pitch but often leaving Rangers exposed when the first line of pressure was broken.
It was interesting that, in the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen, Lewis Ferguson (LCM) and Dean Campbell (LWB) combined for 17 passes – which was five more than the second-highest combination. In the 1-0 win over Hibs, the LCM to LWB passing combination played just a total of seven passes. On the right between Jake Doyle-Hayes and Chris Cadden, the figure stood at just eight passes.
All in all, it led to a vastly improved showing from Rangers against a side whose tactical nuances had caused them issues in the previous season.
The proliferation of wing-back systems in the Scottish Premiership – and in the wider footballing world - has reinforced the benefit of width in controlling both sides of the game.
Gerrard’s 4-3-3 was a considerable net positive for Rangers, but it had started to fray at the edges heading into his fourth season at the club.
Van Bronckhorst has brought a new perspective in that regard.
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