Why Michael Beale's Rangers can thrive with two strikers

As it turned out, Fashion Sakala played up top with the Colombian and both players scored during last night’s 3-2 win. The former levelled the game, for a matter of seconds before Hibs regained the lead, and Morelos won the points, converting an excellent Malik Tillman run and cutback.

“I certainly want to play with two strikers at times and you should expect that in the coming games that we play,” Beale said during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“That’s a little bit of a hint of what’s coming. I want to put more strikers on the pitch and more goalscorers and I want to play up and around the other team’s box.”

The starting 11 pass network, which charts the average passing position of each individual, shows the full-backs providing width, Tillman sitting high in midfield and Glen Kamara drifting left to help create overloads. Sakala and Morelos are on a similar line, occupying the Hibs defence.

In the first half what stood out was the fluidity of the front three with Kent tucked just behind a strike partnership.

Look at the successful passes played to Morelos and Sakala by the rest of the team. Notice the distribution of passes across the pitch, extending to either wing. The duo weren’t confined to only occupy central spaces but permitted freedom to get on the ball all over the attacking third.

Sakala would pull wide left at points while Morelos moved towards the right.

During this transition, you can see Sakala glued to the left touchline and Morelos the right.

The point being, while Rangers had two goalscorers on the pitch, there was flexibility in how both could operate.

READ MORE: How Rangers broke through Hibs' defence with half-time changes

The real benefit was felt when they got on the ball in the penalty box, however.

Sakala has his critics, but the Zambian offers Rangers a consistent goal threat. In the league last season he averaged 0.5 goals per 90, a total only bettered by Kemar Roofe (0.58). Furthermore, his xG per 90 of 0.49 was only marginally behind Roofe (0.53) and Morelos (0.58).

There’s a reason the forward was out in the cold for much of the start of this season under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he has weaknesses to his game that can often frustrate. However, the contrasting argument that his goal contribution outweighs the negatives, in a side that needs such a return, was proven right yesterday.

Take his equaliser as an example. Sakala is forced wide onto his left foot after a pass from Kent and finishes from a difficult angle. 

🎙️ "ＳＡＫＡＬＡ．．．"

Fashion Sakala equalises for Rangers in an action-packed start against Hibs ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/d1ygpy6CBx

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 15, 2022

Statsbomb’s xG model can give us further context when discussing the quality of his strike. Although the chance had a 0.08xG chance rating, 8/100 chance of going in, the Post-Shot xG of 0.6, 60/100 chance of going in, demonstrates the quality of finish.

David Marshall was positioned optimally and the defence forced Sakala away from goal, but he was able to find the far corner with power regardless. 

It was a moment that demonstrated the value of playing with two strikers. An extra goalscorer on the pitch will coincidently, increase your chances of scoring. It’s stating the obvious but something Beale's predecessor Van Bronckhorst rarely opted for.

Morelos put in his best showing since returning to fitness by some margin. The 26-year-old was combative, a threat when dropping into the midfield and scored the winning goal.

🎙️ "ɪᴛ'ꜱ ᴀʟꜰʀᴇᴅᴏ ᴍᴏʀᴇʟᴏꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪꜱ ᴄᴜꜱᴛᴏᴍᴀʀʏ ɢᴏᴀʟ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ʜɪʙꜱ..."

Rangers take the lead at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/TvrShTLFDk

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 15, 2022

While conceding yesterday's win wasn't a good performance Beale complimented his side's ability to bounce back and win despite falling behind. Fielding two goalscorers helped swing the marginals in Rangers' favour on a must-win night at Ibrox.