GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst has proven to be an experimental manager during his brief spell at Rangers, demonstrated by constant tinkering on the right.
He's played with a touchline hugging winger in Scott Wright, a counterattacking threat in Fashion Sakala, an inverted creator in Ianis Hagi and an inverted attacker in Amad Diallo. The inclusion of Scott Arfield in that role over the past two home games proved a clever approach that suited the challenges posed by both Hibs and Hearts.
It’s been clear from his early days in charge that van Bronckhorst’s teams are influenced by the opponent. Looking back to a 1-0 win over Dundee United in December the manager revealed he’d prepared his teams in two systems given the uncertainty surrounding United's formation.
With the foresight that either Edinburgh team would approach the game more proactively than weaker opponents, the latest tactical modification was a success with and without the ball. On Wednesday Arfield’s inclusion led to regular rotations which offered passing options, allowed James Tavernier to join attacks and encouraged vertical moves with Ryan Kent glued to the opposing wing.
“We can play with one very attacking side and one midfielder on the other who plays more inside,” the manager said explaining his decision to start Kent and Arfield on either side of Alfredo Morelos.
The inclusion of Arfield is partly motivated by the 33-year-old’s off-ball efforts, 26 pressures attempted last night was the highest in the team and his PAdj pressures (possession adjusted) average of 22:52 is the seventh highest in the league and top amongst the Ibrox squad.
In the five league home games since the managerial change prior to this week, Rangers had averaged 106 pressures per game. Over the past two matches that average stood at 160. Albeit against stronger opponents, there was a clear intention to be more aggressive throughout.
The midfielder brings robustness of the ball, setting the press, closing passing lanes and regaining possession.
With the ball, a look at the starting 11 pass map reveals how closely Glen Kamara, Alfredo Morelos and James Tavernier played alongside the Canadian. Just as Ryan Jack had done against Hearts, Kamara was instructed to make forward runs and not stay deep.
Their constant movement and interchanging overwhelmed Hibs. At times Arfield was wide on the right ahead of Josh Doig, on other occasions he was moving infield and taking the attention of Rocky Bushiri, connecting with Tavernier’s delivery.
Such variation unsettled Hibs' zonal marking system and constant pockets opened up behind their midfield. Rangers didn't need to 'stretch the pitch' on both wings to create space centrally.
Morelos’ game-deciding goal was the by-product of a well-timed pass from Tavernier, however, the gap he played into was created as a result of the regular interchanging on the right-wing.
As possession is switched, Morelos is occupying Porteous and Arfield Bushiri.
Tavernier sets the ball into Goldson to force Demetri Mitchell into a two-v-one and Arfield moves towards the ball, bringing Bushiri with him who, according to the frame above, thinks Porteous is marking Morelos.
Unfortunately for the away side, Porteous has held his position in keeping with the approach seen throughout. The back four, therefore, has a gaping hole that can be exploited.
The regularity of Rangers' movement caused confusion that eventually led to an all-important second goal.
“You see a lot of rotations on the right and in moments he gets forward to cross,” van Bronckhorst explained. “In the first half he had two excellent crosses for Scott and he scored one (although it was disallowed) and one was saved but he can also come inside and give a pass to Morelos. He’s a very diverse player we have on the right so I’m very happy he can give a good performance.”
The direct cause of pulling so much Hibs attention to the right side was the isolation of Kent on the left. Shaun Maloney’s approach was underwhelming, his team were not compact enough to merit such individual freedom granted to the likes of Arfield and Morelos.
The winger’s carry map shows his wide starting position and success driving infield.
What the hosts did well was combine their strengths on either wing. Here, they have created an overload on the right and Kamara is free to switch possession to the left side of the pitch.
The sequence map which ended in a right-footed shot taken by Kent displays this vertical play across the pitch.
Earlier in the tie, another overload exposes the visitor’s defensive approach.
READ MORE: Alfredo Morelos' Rangers showings demonstrate dropping deep was never his issue - Joshua Barrie
Again in this example, Rangers’ unorthodox pitch positions overwhelm Hibs’ defensive approach. Porteous only jumps onto Morelos once he receives possession and his side concede another chance.
Throughout the Lieth side appeared unsure as to who they were supposed to mark and although not at their best, Rangers won the tie comfortably.
Arfield will likely only fulfil this position on specific occasions. Based on yesterday's showing it may prove useful again as van Bronckhorst seeks to strike the correct balance in competitive matches.
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