How Rangers pressed Celtic into submission with adapted April tactical blueprint

“I said before after you play a team I have a better feeling about them and about the players we face,” he told the Rangers Review on Thursday.

That was apparent at Ibrox in a recent Old Firm meeting. Despite a 2-1 defeat and disappointing attacking display, Rangers got their press right in periods and were ultimately undermined by individual mistakes.

Van Bronckhorst had learned from the 3-0 reverse in February and instructed his players to adopt a man-for-man pressing scheme. They pushed high at goal-kicks and left an abundance of space in defence, often winning the ball in advantageous areas without punishing the visitors.

Yesterday, the approach was similar. The team only had a half-session to prepare tactically, given the focus on Thursday night’s Europa League fixture, so it was perhaps no surprise to see them adopt an intentional and aggressive off-ball approach similar to the meeting two weeks prior.

Crucially, Giovanni van Bronckhorst made two key tactical alterations. Calvin Bassey stepped up and man-marked Tom Rogic, which left a risky three against three at the back but prevented Celtic from having an out-ball in midfield.

In the meeting at Ibrox, Leon Balogun played at centre-back and remained in the backline which allowed Rogic the freedom of the park when Lundstram had to jump up and press Josip Juranovic.

Yesterday, Bassey remained touch-tight with the Australian to prevent him from making an impact in possession. 

Another important alteration was Joe Aribo's central position, unlike previously when Aaron Ramsey wasn’t able to keep up with Callum McGregor as he drove through the lines in the lead up to Rogic's leveller in the league.

Rangers’ pressing scheme started from the front and included the whole team. Knowing Ange Postecoglou’s side had no target for long goal-kicks without the presence of Giorgos Giakoumakis, and given their preference to play through the pitch, Rangers utilised a man-orientated approach.

READ MORE: Rangers' in-game Celtic recovery shows this team have turned a corner with character

When Joe Hart played short, Kemar Roofe pressurised Carl Starfelt and Ryan Kent vacated his position on the left wing to form a strike partnership, closing down Cameron Carter-Vickers. This left Josip Juranovic free, meaning Lundstram jumped up from his central midfield berth to track the Croatian. He was enabled to do so by Bassey’s high defending, as outlined below.

Early on, the dangers of this approach became clear. We can see in the below frame that Ramsey, Roofe and Kent are all marking the individuals highlighted above.

However, Lundstram is a little slow getting out to Juranovic after Kent moves infield, meaning the right-back has sufficient time to loft a pass over the top of defence in search of Liel Abada.

Borna Barisic is pulled in short by the winger's movement and suddenly Celtic have not only escaped the Rangers press but also created a dangerous opportunity with one simple ball.

However, this was a rare occasion. Generally, Rangers’ high block at goal-kicks prevented their opponents from getting up the pitch.

READ MORE: Rangers' remarkable pressing performance in focus as 'leggy' Celtic's fatigue measured

Here, Starfelt has no passing options and is forced long, possession turns over and Rangers win a free-kick.

Late in the second half, Hart goes long early following pressure from Kent which gives up possession.

In extra-time even though Lundstram is slightly slow in pressuring Juranovic again, Barisic anticipates a short pass and gets to the ball before James Forrest.

Time and again, the high press gamble paid off.

The scheme required constant diligence throughout, shown by the below sequence. Having run beyond the defence, Scott Arfield is not in a position to mark Callum McGregor and the Celtic captain can move through the whole pitch, with Roofe unable to make a second tactical foul. His eventual shot was fired narrowly wide.

However, Postecoglou’s side couldn't build sustained periods of pressure to unleash their wide overloads because time in the opposition half was limited. Rogic, so instrumental in his side’s recent Old Firm wins, received just seven passes, less than half of the 16 played into him at Ibrox, despite playing an hour on both occasions.

Even when Celtic pulled Juranovic infield to isolate Rogic on the right side of the pitch, Bassey came out on top.

Having established a template to beat Celtic earlier this month, van Bronckhorst's team carried out his tactical plan superbly at the second time of asking, with some key adaptations. 

By neutralising Rogic, blocking passing options and taking the risk of leaving space in defence, Rangers limited Celtic and let their football dictate the outcome.