“If we were more ruthless in the final third, even when we haven't played well, we could have won games more comfortably. That's some of the things we're working on.”

Monday wasn’t the first time Michael Beale’s highlighted his side’s execution in the final third as an area that requires improvement.

Beale arrived back at Ibrox having lived through this squad’s evolution from the outset, therefore able to implement the lessons learned by his two predecessors from day one.

“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,” was one reflection made at his unveiling press conference.

Introducing the goals of Kemar Roofe during the 2020/21 season helped Steven Gerrard to overcome domestic defences at a rate previously unmatched. While Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s domestic failure owed in large part to the lack of goals in his starting 11.

Looking at the squad’s xG chart this season, it’s clear to see why Beale wants to get two of Fashion Sakala, Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak on the pitch at the same time.

Of those who’ve played over 600 minutes in the league this season, only Sakala (0.49xG), Colak (0.53xG) and Morelos (0.76xG) boast a serious goal threat aside from Malik Tillman (0.28xG).

Scott Arfield’s (0.34xG) total is also impressive but largely owing to appearances from the bench. 66 percent of the shots he’s taken in the league have come in the final 30 minutes of matches.

Last Saturday’s meeting with Kilmarnock saw Beale stick with the template he’d used prior to the League Cup Final defeat. This time, Colak partnered Sakala, who has started all but two of the 12 league games Beale’s managed, having played from the off in only three of 13 league matches he was available for under Van Bronckhorst at the start of the season. 

"We have a recipe to a certain level," Beale had said before the game.

After a full round of matches in the league, only the 2-2 Old Firm draw with Celtic blots Beale’s copy, beating all other domestic opponents.

Again, a look back at his two predecessors shows that finding the required balance to consistently win is by no means a given.

Against Derek McInnes’ side, it was set pieces that made the difference. Even if the ruthlessness Beale is working on with his forwards could’ve made the afternoon more comfortable.

The home side’s pass network, depicting the average position players attempted passes from, gives a rough in-possession shape from the meeting with Kilmarnock.

Notice Colak and Sakala, the side’s two goalscorers, playing on the same line ahead of a four-man midfield that operated with fluidity throughout, with either full-back providing width.

Speaking very generally, Beale’s team from the weekend can be split into the following roles, rather than binary positions.

  •  The defence, where two full-backs occupied the widest zones of the pitch.
  •  The midfield, where two ball progresses (Raskin and Jack) played alongside two creators (Kent and Tillman).
  •  The attack, where goalscorers (Colak and Sakala) operated on the last line.

During a fast, energetic opening 45 minutes the midfield quartet were constantly rotating and interchanging.

Both forwards predominantly assumed positions down the side of Kilmarnock’s three centre-backs, for reasons that would materialise throughout the half.

The poisoning of Rangers’ full-backs occupied either Kilmarnock wing-back, meaning there were channels of space to exploit down either flank.

READ MORE: The two key Rangers reasons for optimism after Kilmarnock win

Take this moment 17 minutes into the game. Which, as highlighted in the Rangers Review’s post-match analysis, provided a good example of Colak’s impressive link-up play.

Here, both Kent and Borna Barisic can be seen urging Ben Davies to play the ball into the feet of the Croatian forward, knowing there’s space for Kent to run in behind.

Sakala should score after Kent’s excellent left-footed cross sets him up just yards from goal.

Similar themes were evident minutes earlier when Davies picks out Sakala running down the side of the defence. 

Rangers Review:

The Zambian should square the ball for his strike partner who would’ve had a tap-in.

A Todd Cantwell cross Sakala latches onto midway through the first half provided another opportunity, even if cutting the ball into Colak’s path was more difficult on this occasion.

Later on, Kent’s final ball lets him down as Sakala again runs down the outside of the defence, with a clear path to goal.

Colak and Sakala would combine to add the game’s second goal following a looping cross.

The front pairing were unable to fully maximise certain moments at Ibrox, in a very similar vein to the recent 3-0 win at Tynecastle. Which, incidentally, also featured two set-piece strikes.

Regardless, opting for two goalscorers is one of the lessons Beale has inherited and implemented early on at Ibrox, and a key reason behind the impressive league start.

The manager's self-acknowledged next step is ensuring his attackers turn moments into goals more regularly.