IT was a game Rangers were always destined to win with comfort.
Yesterday’s 4-0 victory against Stirling Albion sealed cup progression and blew away any winter break cobwebs as 37,000 supporters watched on at Ibrox. Alex Lowry made headlines with a superb debut, Fashion Sakala earned his haircut scoring a first goal of 2022 and squad players were handed competitive minutes.
Statistically, the win was as routine as the eye test, with two penalties supplementing Rangers’ final xG total of 4.35 to the visitor’s 0.15.
Lowry added some creativity upon entering the fold, his opening goal catalysed a far more chance-heavy game for the hosts who, as shown, had limited sightings of the goal in the opening 20 minutes.
The game died a death somewhat after Cedric Itten added a third, Sakala’s late strike added more glamour to the scoreline which was merited based on opportunities alone.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst praised Albion’s set-up in his post-match press conference.
He said: “They did really well, they were very compact and made it difficult. They tried to, when they recovered the ball, make quick transitions with their fast forwards.”
The visiting side sat higher up the pitch than some Premiership opponents and although they gained few moments in transition, an early mix-up between James Tavernier and Jon McLaughlin also proved profitable while also a late save was forced by Dylan Mackin.
Rangers flirted between two formations, utilising a back three in the first half before sticking Jack Simpson at left-back in the second period. Lowry and Juninho Bacuna, who made two assists on the night, played as No.10s until Kemar Roofe came on late in the fixture.
The manager conceded his team probably should have taken a few more of their chances, and the side’s post-shot xG of 5.21 backs this up. Itten’s first-half miss in particular goes down as a key missed opportunity. “You’ve got to score those,” commented Ally McCoist on punditry duty for Premier Sports.
Bacuna and John Lundstram have both been lightning rods for criticism throughout their short Ibrox careers. The level of the opponent is a valid consideration, but the pair can be relatively pleased with their showings.
Bacuna at times frustrated van Bronckhorst but was one of the few players early on willing to take a risk and showed two moments of quality. His second act of provision was a wonderfully weighted pass through an open avenue in the Albion defence.
Lundstram also turned provider for the third goal and playing as the deepest midfielder, contributed well to attacks as the game wore on. He made 22 passes into the final third, tested the visiting keeper on a couple of occasions and completed 94% of his 121 passes.
His disguised pass into Itten for the Swiss striker's goal having worked the ball through the midfield line.
Lowry said he was instructed to 'play his own game' and did so by linking intelligently, remaining composed in possession and accessing central pockets.
Six passes into the penalty area shows a player who tries to create, unwilling to simply circulate possession and avoid taking risks.
Lowry's entrance offered the game a willing narrative and gives reason for remembrance. The real tests for Rangers follow over the coming weeks.
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