Why Rangers must mirror 'elite evolution' and use their goalkeeper to nullify opposition pressure

Since the back-pass rule changed in 1992, preventing goalkeepers from always using their hands, No.1s have gradually seen their role increased during possession. Johan Cruyff masterminded so many tactical evolutions in football and according to ex-goalkeeper Juan Carlos Unzue who worked with the Dutchman at Barcelona, the involvement of goalkeepers in possession is another idea he pioneered.

“Training sessions under Cruyff were very different to what we were used to,” he told the Coaches Voice.

“He used to make us feel as if we had one more outfield player.”

Fast forward to 2022 and the on-ball skillset of goalkeepers is more sought after than ever. Allison at Liverpool, Ederson at Man City, Edouard Mendy at Chelsea and Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal are the elite-level examples of goalkeepers who can make significant contributions in possession.

It’s a far cry from the lofted backpass Graeme Souness played to Chris Woods against Dynamo Kyiv in 1987.

Using a goalkeeper intelligently can disrupt the opponent’s pressing schemes, create numerical superiority, allow for the side in possession to reset their shape and, if the No.1 attracts pressure, open passing lanes.

See below Ederson steps out to create a back three for Man City. Increasing passing options and the space Harry Kane has to cover.

In a recent win over Arsenal, with City having struggled to combat an early high press, Ederson stepped up to form a back three again. Relieving pressure, limiting Arsenal’s high disruption and again increasing passing options.

If Arsenal press in this situation, City will be able to find their free man because Ederson has created an 11v10 outfield in his side's favour.

Just as Cruyff taught his Barcelona side to use their goalkeeper and have "one more outfield player".

Now is the time for a disclaimer. City are the best team in the world with possession and Ederson is likely the best ball-playing goalkeeper you'll find. There are huge risks leaving the goal untended as above and a team must have complete trust in possession to carry out this tactic.

However, football’s best coaches are increasingly using goalkeepers in possession. There’s a reason both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp spent so much money, and saw such transformative effects on their team by bringing in Allison and Ederson.

Furthermore, City are an extreme example given they can out-pass anyone. Although Rangers often face opponents who sit deep, there are also occasions in which they could use the above shape closer to their goal.

Given Jon McLaughlin recently signed a new two-year contract and Allan McGregor has just turned 40, it feels likely at present there will be a changing of the guard at No.1 this summer.

McGregor’s legacy at Ibrox has long been immortalised. Time and again during his second spell at Ibrox his age has been highlighted following mistakes and his response has consistently impressed.

However, his distribution can limit the side in their build-up play. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has changed how Rangers move the ball into the final third, placing more emphasis on direct play and decreasing the numbers that drop into the first line of possession; which has often led to stale passes between either centre-back.

Take this example against Dundee United in December, a game in which van Bronckhorst admitted his side needed to be braver in build-up when quizzed by the Rangers Review.

On numerous occasions, there was the opportunity for a ‘keeper more comfortable with the ball to impact proceedings. Stepping into make a back three while not straying far from his goal and increasing the distance United would be forced to defend, to grant greater options beyond the United front two as highlighted by the red markers.

Throughout the game, passing lanes were blocked into Glen Kamara.

Why shouldn’t a goalkeeper be used in this phase of the game to create numerical superiority and progress the ball?

Compare this again to the above image of Allison, notice how wide Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip can play, providing better access into the final third and preventing Burnley from pressing high.

The recent Old Firm defeat was a nightmare for all involved. With the ball, van Bronckhorst’s side looked void of possessional patterns and plausible routes into the Celtic final third. A look at McGregor’s pass map from the occasion demonstrates how often his distribution gave away possession. Only three of his 13 passes high passes in open play found their target, often under pressure, he simply launched the ball upfield.

If the veteran does not have clear passes available he normally opts to clear his lines. In the two examples below the red line stipulates a pass he could’ve played with greater composure, possession was lost in both examples.

In this final example, greater comfort on the ball could have allowed McGrgeor to delay his pass, wait for pressure and then find the spare man (Bassey) but his rushed distribution saw possession turnover.

This could well have been an instruction from the bench, to try and get the ball upfield and fight for possession. If so, it underlines the development Rangers must undertake in this area to use their No.1 as if they have an extra outfield player.

The good news is the man who may well be the answer to this conundrum has just signed a new deal.

McLaughlin is more comfortable with the ball at his feet and can create advantages deep in the pitch.

In their 1-1 draw with Lyon, Rangers wanted to coax in the French team’s high block and hit diagonals to Ryan Kent on the left-wing. Due to McLaughlin’s comfort in possession, he formed a back three with Basssey and Connor Goldson making circulation of the ball far smoother.

Under pressure, the understudy is calmer on the ball. Here as Bassey lays possession backwards he takes a touch and finds John Lundstram who can access the right hand side of the pitch, instead of simply clearing the ball.

As shown above, McGregor is far more likely to clear his lines in similar situations.

Against St Mirren last year, McLaughlin's composure on a number of occasions allowed the side to play through pressure.

As Blair Newman detailed for the Rangers Review recently, van Bronckhorst is changing the side's approach play. While Steven Gerrard's system always featured midfielders dropping deep to progress the ball, the introduction of two advanced No.8s is placing more emphasis on the defence to play into the final third and midfield.

If indeed McLaughlin does become No.1 this summer, his composure on the ball will allow Rangers to play "with an extra man" outfield.