Rangers' possessional patterns pose Giovanni van Bronckhorst an imminent problem

However, the side’s inability to progress the ball past pressure and complete lack of attacking rhythms provoke cause for concern.

While the more direct passages of play first seen in away matches at Livingston and Hearts brought instant success and appeared to unshackle the attack, the downsides of the system during build-up have shown ever since.

It’s a theme that first became evident following a 1-0 win over Dundee United last year.

Speaking at the time van Bronckhorst said: “If we don’t have Kamara available in the build-up it means someone else is. I think we lacked a bit of bravery, especially from the back to commit into midfield.

“We were just passing, passing. If we could not find Kamara we just passed it back. If we don’t find Kamara, we need other players to commit themselves. Today we didn’t do it as well as before. That’s why we struggled a little bit, especially in the first half.”

United were the first team to purposely block off any routes to the No.6 and the hosts toiled as a result. Ever since that weakness has been targetted by opponents.

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In the latest instalment of the Old Firm so much went wrong. The plan without the ball which was seemingly designed to retain Amad and Ryan Kent as high up the pitch as possible played into the opponent’s hands; instead, the pair were left exposed defensively as wide overloads created the opening two goals.

Most obvious of all however was the limitations Rangers experienced when they had the opportunity to stamp their own mark on proceedings. While their hosts had a clear picture ball progression mapped out from the start, van Bronckhorst’s men seemed bereft of ideas, individualism aside.

Similar problems were on show against Ross County during the first half last Saturday, the pass map shows how many touches of the ball either centre-back had and they exchanged passes 34 times in 45 minutes, taking 206 touches between them. The midfield three had 182 touches during the same period.

When passes into Kamara weren't available and spaces refused to open higher up the pitch there were no solutions.

It wasn’t until the team moved to a back three in the Highlands to get past the first line of pressure, and engaged the full-backs in the attacking phase, that attacks started to flow with greater regularity.

The defence appeared uncomfortable and unsure on Wednesday when they had possession and without any means of progression through the centre of the pitch, Allan McGregor’s forced long balls often became the most viable means forward as the home side pressed - only 21% of his long passes were successful, however. 

Without a route through the pitch Rangers needed to get their full-backs involved offensively as they did in the Highlands, the approach to keep them deep on Wednesday was too precautionary and means of ball progression were subsequently limited. If van Bronckhorst sticks with a single pivot at the base of midfield then he ought to use both Tavernier and Barisic with greater frequency in the attacking phase.

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The build-up to an equaliser against County was a perfect example of the value this tactic holds. Barisic’s inverted position stretches Ross County’s front pairing and allows access beyond the first line of pressure, while Tavernier’s impact is not direct his run creates a passing lane into Amad Diallo.

And continues his run into the box to score.

Celtic continually displayed the value of full-backs coming infield during their emphatic midweek win.

The attacking freedom granted to the likes of Aribo has been a net positive in van Bronckhorst's reign so far, however, if he wants to continue playing with only one deep midfielder, his full-backs must be given greater license to attack in posession.